'Jobs for the girls’ at Countryside Properties

National Construction Week (8th – 12th October) is a UK wide awareness week, which aims to highlight the career opportunities available to women in the construction industry. Despite the diversity of careers within the industry, construction is still dominated by men. One of the leading housebuilders in the industry, Countryside Properties, is attempting to redress the balance.

33 year old Natalie May and 19 year old Hannah Short are recent construction recruits of the Brentwood-based housebuilder. Natalie has joined as a Planning and Processing Officer, whilst Hannah has been taken on as a Construction Trainee. Both women were unperturbed by the well-publicised gender gap and were impressed with the opportunities available for them at Countryside Properties.

Natalie comments: “Countryside Properties is a modern day employer; it acknowledges the importance of women working with the built environment and the difference that women can make to the business.”

With companies like Countryside Properties recognising the importance of attracting and retaining more women in the workforce, it is going some way to address the skills shortage in the industry. The UK construction industry is experiencing rapid growth and thousands of new recruits are needed nationwide to satisfy current demand.

Hannah comments: “Women are becoming increasingly aware of the opportunities available to them within construction and many, like myself, are choosing to work in the industry because of the challenging careers it offers. It is a welcome alternative to the traditional 9-5 office-based job. I love the variation of the work and the opportunity that it gives me to effect the environment in which I live. It is fantastic to be able to see a project through from start to finish, you really feel like you are ‘making your own mark’ on the British landscape.”

Natalie concludes: “My heart and soul lies with construction, I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this career path to others. Countryside Properties has been a top class employer, working here means I can really fulfil my dreams. They have pushed me in all the right directions, giving me the chance that I needed to excel at something.”

Countryside Properties’ new recruits are proving that it’s definitely not just “jobs for the boys!” Countryside Properties offer jobs in a wide range of construction sectors, from building, architecture and engineering to housing and project management.

For more information about careers with Countryside Properties, visit Countryside-properties-corporate.com/careers.