International Women’s Day is a celebration and an elevation of women across the world. For TSL, it’s about recognising the skills and knowledge that every woman brings to their role on their own merit, regardless of gender.
So today, we’re celebrating our female colleagues for their sheer brilliance and supporting them with with practical tools on how they can further impart their ideas and skills within their roles.
The construction industry is known for being a male dominated industry, but we are lucky enough to have skilled and hardworking females in our business. In 2023, the construction industry reported females made up just 15.3% of the workforce, and not only do we exceed this, but we recognise the immense value they bring to our business and to our industry.
To share insight into the careers of women in the construction industry, we caught up with Emily, Lisa and Vicky for a Q&A on what International Women’s Day means to them.
Meet Emily Kemp, Health and Safety Advisor. Emily joined the business in 2023 and is part of a team of 2 who monitor the health and safety standards of all major project sites.
“I also wanted to be a part of a forward-thinking company that was exploring how to break down construction stereotypes.”
What made you choose a career in the construction industry?
I decided to pursue a career in Health & Safety within the industry as I had previously worked in agriculture and was keen to gain some experience in such a significant sector. I also wanted to be a part of a forward-thinking company that was exploring how to break down construction stereotypes.
What advice would you give to females wanting to enter the construction industry?
Don’t be put off from joining an industry that is perceived to be male dominated. Every industry offers multiple career paths, and often includes more women than you think.
How do you see TSL benefiting from diversity, in an industry that is known for being a male-dominated industry?
TSL benefits from broader creativity and innovation by bringing in people who have different experiences and perspectives. This results in a workforce that has the ability to approach problems from multiple angles to reach the most effective solution.
Who inspires you?
My family inspires me a lot. I am lucky to be surrounded by strong, hardworking people, who have always been generous and kind. I have also been lucky to have worked with some forward-thinking H&S professionals who have inspired me to continuously improve and innovate safety.
What’s your proudest achievement since working at TSL?
My proudest achievement at TSL so far has been working towards and passing my NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction and becoming a Technical Member of IOSH.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Inspiring Inclusion’ – what does that mean to you?
To me, inspiring inclusion involves actively fostering environments where everyone feels empowered to speak up, share their ideas, and contribute to decision-making processes without fear of discrimination.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day to me is a celebration of the work we have done to address discrimination of women and how we empower them. It’s also a signal that more progress is still necessary to alleviate the biases women incur not only within the workplace, but in education, healthcare and the media.
Meet Lisa Bow, Document Controller. Lisa has spent most of her career in the construction industry, before joining TSL in 2023. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience which makes her excel in her role, keeping our processes and our teams in orderly fashion. She has also introduced some changes and new processes into her role, helping to evolve the impact Document Control team.
‘Our differences make us unique, but our inclusivity brings us together’
What made you choose a career in the construction industry?
My father was an engineer, and so I’ve always been interested in how things work. I started my career on a drawing board tracing and managed payroll, and when I returned to work after having my family, I worked for a main contractor. I ended up training many document controllers and inspired two become Design Managers. Being able to read drawings is the key.
What advice would you give to females wanting to enter the construction industry?
It can feel intimidating, but hold your own because you have knowledge and skills to excel.
What’s your proudest achievement since working at TSL?
Achieving greater clarity of processes, making sure information is transparent and accessible across the business.
What key traits do you think great leaders possess?
Strong interpersonal communication, active listening to encourage employees to share ideas, and diplomacy.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Inspiring Inclusion’ – what does that mean to you?
Our differences make us unique, but our inclusivity brings us together.
What advice would you give to young girls as the future working generation?
Learn something every day to keep your mind active.
Meet Vicky Wearn, Reactive Works Manager in the Small Works team. She is on hand to assist clients when they need a rapid response call out. Vicky will review the required works and provide a cost estimation to the client, before liaising with our Operatives to ensure the job is carried out effectively. Vicky joined the business in 2021, having worked in the construction industry for 7 years.
“We are not your average construction company – we are very forward thinking and that’s one thing that makes us stand out.”
What made you choose a career in the construction industry?
I’ve always been around construction since I can remember as a lot of my family have various trades within the industry. It just felt normal to me and I like the thought of being a part of something that gets completely transformed.
What advice would you give to females wanting to enter the construction industry?
Same advice I’d give anyone. If you want to do something then do it, don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you want to do in life. There’s no such word as can’t, you can be anything or do anything you want.
How do you see TSL benefitting from diversity, in an industry that is known for being a male-dominated industry?
Since starting here I have seen more and more women join TSL, which is great to see. TSL treats us as equals and as individuals. We are not your average construction company – we are very forward thinking and that’s one thing that makes us stand out.
Who inspires you?
People with a growth mindset, who are positive and cheer others on when they do well. I do surround myself with people who hold those qualities and I am therefore inspired to grow and learn.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Inspiring Inclusion’ – what does that mean to you?
It’s important that more women from all different backgrounds can be inspired to do anything. I have two daughters so it’s important to me that they always know this.
What advice would you give to young girls as the future working generation?
I always tell my eldest daughter that she can do anything in this world, as long as she sets her mind to it and wants it enough. She can be anything and as long as she enjoys it then that’s all that matters.
Today is about elevating women for their skills and ideas, not about the fall of men. For our business, it’s about celebrating the role that each of us plays on our own merit, not simply because of our gender.
