‘We must build skills awareness to boost construction sector’

Angela Carney, managing director at Carney Consultancy and director at Carney CDM, has worked in the construction industry for more than 30 years. She sits on several industry boards and is well respected for her commitment to bridging the skills gap and helping females enter the sector. Here, she explores the power of collaboration, the importance of working with educational providers and the positive impact mentoring has on young people.

I am very passionate about changing the image of the construction sector and increasing diversity.

In particular, I am keen to highlight the tremendous career opportunities for girls.

That is why, in 2022, I helped to organise the Future Female Leaders course – at Hartlepool College of Further Education – with The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) North East and Tees Valley.

NAWIC is an international, not-for-profit association dedicated to the advancement of women in the construction industry, and the Future Female Leaders programme brings to the college role models from NAWIC, working within the North East’s construction industry.

In a series of weekly workshops, they help to educate students on a wide variety of topics, including resilience building, overcoming imposter syndrome and eradicating bullying in the workplace.

The course covers a range of careers in construction, from bricklaying and plumbing to building surveying.

It is well known the foundations of the built environment are forged on collaboration.

Whether it is through sector bodies like Constructing Excellence in the North East, Northern Counties Builders Federation or the National Association of Women in Construction, we are inclusive, influential and essential.

And it is here I would make a plea.

I would encourage all companies to collaborate with their trade organisations and colleges to tap into talent.

In some cases, firms employ their employees’ sons, daughters and nephews, etc, but they really need to look further than this and speak to the colleges.

The current average age of bricklayers is more than 50; if we don’t tap into the younger generation soon, these skills will be lost by the industry.

In the North East, training providers such as Hartlepool College of Further Education recognise the opportunities the trades present for young people; they are a recruitment source waiting to be tapped into.

I have worked closely with John Cartwright, head of construction and built environment at Hartlepool College of Further Education, and assistant principal Shaun Hope for several years.

They have worked with NAWIC to grow the female presence in the construction industry.

As a result of our partnership, I was approached by a T Level student from Middlesbrough College, Toni-Leigh Bowler, a bright, inquisitive and talented young person, who is studying quantity surveying and design.

I met Toni when she attended a Year 9 design and build day in March 2022.

She kept in touch, and as a result of her tenacity, we are sponsoring her through her T Level qualification.

I firmly believe that as a company, we need to spot talent early and invest in individuals, so we can employ them in the future.

Toni is enjoying gaining real-life work experience in health and safety, an area she is keen to pursue.

She is working closely with our health and safety consultant Sarah James.

Toni recently accompanied Sarah to a live construction site, where we were undertaking health and safety checks, to gain valuable insight.

We have so many positive stories and examples of organisations and sector bodies championing young people, and we need to continue to look outwards to add value, so we can highlight the attractive career opportunities.

Angela Carney is a board member of Constructing Excellence in the North East, vice chair of Northern Counties Builders Federation, co-chair of the North East branch of Working Well Together, National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC-NE) and the Lighthouse Club Construction Charity

• Picture: Shaun Hope, assistant principal at Hartlepool College of Further Education, front, left, with Angela Carney, managing director at Carney Consultancy, and John Cartwright, head of construction and built environment at Hartlepool College of Further Education, with members of NAWIC North East and attendees of the Future Female Leaders course