OXFORDSHIRE ASSISTANT SITE MANAGER BREAKS THE BIAS

In recognition of International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8th March, David Wilson Homes is encouraging more women to consider a career in the construction industry, with a variety of roles available across Oxfordshire.

DWHS – UnSug-DWH-ReannaLupton-08032022-9 – Reanna Lupton onsite at Abbey Fields in Abingdon

Whilst the number of female construction workers has increased steadily in recent years, the proportion of women in the industry is still significantly lower, something which the housebuilder is keen to change. Research figures from the union for construction workers, GMB, showed that if the rate of female employees continues to rise at the rate it is now, the number of women in the industry won’t equal men until 2194.

Among David Wilson Homes’ female employees is Reanna Lupton (26), was recently promoted to Assistant Site Manager and is based at the Abbey Fields development in Abingdon.

Reanna, from Hungerford in Berkshire, joined David Wilson Homes on the ASPIRE Graduate Programme, which gave her a taste of all departments. Her desire to be based onsite led to a stint at the River Meadow development in Stanford in the Vale, before moving onto Abbey Fields.

She said: “Being female changes nothing. Women are capable of being just as successful as men in the construction industry. As long as you ask the right questions, always stay on the ball and remember – knowledge is power!

“Being able to encourage young women into the industry is vital! Women make up only 10.9% of the workforce and, considering they make up around 50% of the population, they are vastly underrepresented in this industry.

“I do not see my gender as a disadvantage. If you are the right person for the job and have passion for your role, you will do well.”

Reanna’s family are in the construction industry but she initially left university with a sociology degree and the ambition to be a teacher. Now as an Assistant Site Manager after being promoted in December 2021, she is looking to become an award-winning Site Manager or take the step into health and safety.

Reanna particularly enjoys the fast pace and the varied work at Abbey Fields, and has admired the efforts of David Wilson Homes to make roles open to all genders with a great focus on inclusivity.

She added: “Many women see it as a male-dominated industry, however there are so many roles and management opportunities. The Site Managers I have worked with have all supported, encouraged and taught me everything I know.

“My new role not only allows me to see all of the infrastructure, but also inspections, looking at working drawings or calling off building materials. I love my job and look forward to having a long career with David Wilson Homes.”

With a number of female employees already in a range of roles across the company, the housebuilder is reminding women from all skill sets of the different roles available and is encouraging them to put their experience to the industry.

Campbell Gregg, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “We want to quash the age-old notion that the construction industry is a male-dominated field, as we have many women who work out on site as well as in office-based roles.

“As a leading housebuilder we are fully aware that one of the largest issues surrounding diversity in construction is the number of female employees working within the sector and the current gender imbalance it faces.

“With a range of departments within the company, we want to remind women that there are a variety of different roles that can be offered within the business that have great benefits and excellent opportunities for career progression.”

Some roles within the industry include those based on site, such as Electricians, Plasterers, Engineers, Forklift Drivers, Scaffolders, Bricklayers, Site Managers and Contracts Managers.

For those at head office, roles include Architectural Technicians, Surveyors, Land and Planning Managers, Estimators, Buyers and Finance Administrators.