The managing director of a Liverpool property developer has shared her message to girls hoping to get into the construction industry.
Joanne Waller, 43, heads Sourced Development Group, a property firm focusing on residential and commercial schemes with sites across Liverpool and Manchester.
Her love of the property industry started when she was studying conveyancing law at Hugh Baird College and Sourced now has 1,500 to 2,000 units in its Liverpool pipeline alone.
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Joanne told the ECHO she started moving into development after growing disillusioned with her career in conveyancing. She added: "Law is quite a hard industry to be in as a woman. It's hard to be recognised and seen."
Joanne's transition was gradual, working on small projects. She added: "I think if I walked into it on day one right now, I'd run a mile. But because it was slow incline, going through property and small refurbishments and taking more things on, I think 'OK'.
"It wasn't intentional. It's like with any career, you kind of fall into it and it organically progresses. I know when I was first in college everyone was doing hairdressing or beauty and the opportunities just weren't there."
However, Joanne admits the industry in general can be a bit "jobs for boys". She told the ECHO: "I've been in countless meetings in board rooms and someone asks when I'm going to make a cup of tea
"More often that not it's just an educational thing. it tends to happen more with the older generation. The younger generation it's a lot easier and more inclusive."
What would Joanne say to young women exploring a career in property and construction? "Do it," she told the ECHO.
"Property development and wider construction is a great industry to be in as a woman. It's fast-paced, exciting and challenging, and no two days are the same. Thirty years ago I'd have never imagined working in construction, and at that time it was not encouraged, but I am so happy to be here.
"Seeing your projects develop from the initial design and complete is one of the most fulfilling aspects of working in this industry. We are providing homes for families and individuals to start a new chapter in their lives, what could be more rewarding than that.
"There are definitely more women starting to trickle through into roles such as machine drivers and hoist operators. There are also more female architects and engineers. Women remain massively underrepresented in the sector, but little by little, we are seeing a much-needed positive shift with more women taking on construction roles at various levels of seniority.
She added that multi-tasking is also a skill "unique to women". She said: "They're juggling careers and childcare, it's just one more thing to worry about it.
"If more women are going to choose construction roles, and I sincerely hope this is the case, we need to then address the glaring disparity when it comes to the current gender pay gap. The industry would greatly benefit from a wider gender balance overall as women can bring fresh perspectives and skill sets, improving site productivity."
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