YOUNG women in the Borders have gained an insight into a potential career in construction this week.

Around 90 girls aged between 14 to 15 from secondary schools throughout the region attended the Women into Construction event at Borders College on March 7.

The group heard stories from industry insiders, spanning a range of career options from joinery and painting to architecture and civil engineering.

The educational event was held by the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, between Monday, March 6 to Friday, March 10.

Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, delivered a  talk to the girls. She emphasised the importance of the event in light of the fact that women are still vastly under-represented within the construction industry. 

She said: “Of the 4,894 new apprentices that Scotland welcomed into its construction industry last year, only 76 were female – that represents just 1.6%.  We need to work together to change that.”

“The range of work in the construction industry is diverse, from sales and marketing, trades, engineering and architecture. 

“It offers flexibility during a working life which is often overlooked – and in a world where jobs for life is rare.”

Euan Hastie, CITB Apprenticeship Officer, said: “The event helped us talk openly and directly with young women about construction in a fun, interactive and myth-busting style, challenging the outdated stereotypes that the industry is somehow just for boys.

“We conducted a quick straw poll before and after the event. At the beginning, we asked the girls how many of them would consider a career in construction – only two or three raised their hands. At the end, that number increased to about 25.” 

Industry speakers included Gill Henry, Hazel Davies, Lynsey Jackson and forth year joinery apprentice Adam Sim from The Cruden Group, along with Lindsay Wilson from Edinburgh University and Amy Newlands from Peter Graham and Partners. 

The girls also enjoyed a tour of the college’s construction facilities, tried out their virtual digger skills via a 25-tonne, 360 degree plant simulator and took part in a lively Q+A session.

Gill Henry, Head of Business Development at The Cruden Group, said: “Traditionally, construction is seen as a ‘job for the boys’.  Cruden is keen to take a lead role in challenging this perception and was delighted to present an overview of a much wider range of careers in the industry and provide real life insight into roles of senior female staff within the Group.”