Women into Home Building: Life as a Site Manager
We recently caught up with Olivia Love, Customer Relations Advisor at Gleeson, who swapped her laptop for a hard hat as she experienced life on site, shadowing the site management team.
This opportunity was all made possible through the Women into Home Building (WiHB) programme, which aims to provide practical experience to local women interested in pursuing a career in the construction industry. It includes an initial week of online training and insight sessions, followed by a two-week work experience placement.
Developed by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) in collaboration with home builders across the UK, the initiative aims to grow the talent pipeline and foster gender diversity within site-based roles, particularly management. According to the HBF, women currently account for 16% of the construction workforce, with only 4% working in site management roles.
Olivia, who spent two-weeks shadowing the Site Management team at Gleeson’s Bluebell Court development, shared an insight into what she learned and what she enjoyed the most during her placement.
Please can you summarise your work placement at Gleeson?
“It’s been a really good experience, especially the opportunity to do the placement where I am already employed, as I know the processes and the Gleeson way. It’s been interesting to see the other side of what we do from a build point of view, foundation up. I’ve been given some responsibility working closely with Chris and Josh and have helped with set tasks.”
What were the highlights of your work placement?
“Being out on site and having exposure to what it would be like as a Trainee Assistant Site Manager. Seeing how the site has progressed in just over a week. At the start of my placement, there were no pathways in and now it’s transformed this area. It’s really rewarding seeing closer to the end product now with pathways and front gardens finished.”
What challenges did you experience?
“With it only being a two-week period, I couldn’t be allocated long term projects and would like to make more impact than I can in the short period. It was hard to not want to get more involved when being out on site.”
What advice would you give to women considering a career in the Construction industry?
“I would tell anyone to consider it and try it, understanding the process of housebuilding and experiencing weeks on site helps you get a feel for what it would be like. I have really enjoyed it and learnt a lot more this time than I previously have with the odd visit to our sites. Shadowing Chris, Josh and the team has been really insightful. It allowed me to get a feel for what it would be like as a Trainee Assistant Site Manager.”
A huge thank you to Chris, Josh and the Bluebell Court site team for their support and guidance during Olivia's placement.
To find out more about the Women into Home Building Programme, visit the HBF website.
