A new ambassador programme has been launched in Suffolk to inspire more young women to pursue careers in construction.
The scheme, spearheaded by Women in Construction Anglia (WiCA) in collaboration with the Civil Works Alliance (CWA), aims to develop young women’s confidence and connect them with opportunities in the sector.
The programme will work with female construction students at West Suffolk College, Suffolk New College and East Coast College, training them to become WiCA Ambassadors, who will then share their experiences with secondary school pupils.
It aims to train between 10 and 15 ambassadors, engage three to five secondary schools and reach more than 500 pupils during the pilot.
Clare Friel, founder of Women in Construction Anglia, said: “We want to give young women working towards a career in construction the confidence to share their stories, because hearing from someone close to your own age can make a career feel much more achievable.
“Working in collaboration with Civil Works Alliance means we can connect that encouragement with insight into the industry and opportunities in the sector.
“The ambassadors will be inspiring school pupils while also building their own confidence, relationships and understanding of where their studies could take them.
“I came into construction later in life, and I know people find their way here through all sorts of routes. Giving people opportunities and showing them what’s possible is why I founded WiCA.”
The ambassadors will receive training in confidence, public speaking, leadership and employability, alongside guidance on the different career routes available in construction, engineering and infrastructure.
They will then take their stories into schools through assemblies, workshops, classroom discussions and question-and-answer sessions, with outreach focused on pupils in Year 9 and above.
Nicola Paine, Social Impact Manager, Civil Works Alliance – Sizewell C, said: “Creating lasting change starts with visibility and opportunity.
“Through our support of the WiCA Ambassadors Programme, the Civil Works Alliance is helping to inspire more young women to consider careers in construction by connecting them with relatable role models who showcase the diverse and rewarding opportunities our industry offers.
“We want every young woman to see construction as a sector where she can succeed, contribute and thrive.
“We hope to inspire the next generation of female talent to build their careers with the Civil Works Alliance on Sizewell C and across our industry as a whole.”
The launch comes as WiCA marks its second anniversary, building on its work to attract, support and retain women in construction across Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex.
For more information on how to support WiCA and its work, see womeninconstructionanglia.com
