Student Urges Girls To Consider Construction

Student Urges Girls To Consider Construction

A Sheffield student has been helping to shape a £180m redevelopment in a South Yorkshire town centre, and has been hearing the story of her journey in a bid to urge young women to follow in her footsteps, reports The Star.

‘I aim to be an ambassador for young girls,’ said Lydia McGuiness, 22, a trainee site manager with Henry Boot construction, currently working on The Glass Works development in Barnsley. But after work, it’s back to study for her Sheffield Hallam University degree in construction project management.

Lydia, who also organises awards ceremonies and events in her role as Yorkshire chairperson of Generation for Change, had not always considered a career in construction, but a desire to work outdoors led her in that direction.

She said: “If you’d have asked me as a kid if I wanted to work in construction I would have said no, but once I learned more about it, and realised there were fewer women working in construction, I was interested in it.”

Lydia is encouraging other young women to consider construction to coincide with International Women’s Day on 8 March. She said she hopes she can be a role model for other women in what is traditionally a male-dominated career.

“There wasn’t really anyone to look up to, but I suppose I hope I can be that person by being an ambassador,” she said. “It’s why I go into schools and talk to young girls and tell them that if you want to go and do something that’s not perceived as a ‘women’s’ job, then you can.

“I’ve got a huge amount of support now. I’m looking at houses, I’ve got a good car and a good job. I would say to my 18-year-old self ‘believe in yourself, you’re more confident than you think you are’. I’ve never looked back.”

If you need scaffolding contractors in Sheffield, then get in touch today.

Contact Us

Ready to work together?

Get in touch