Participants Belle Love, Charlie Douglas and Jade Thompson, with Graham’s Suzanne Stevenson
Group takes part in hands-on three-day course in Scotland.
Young women from across central Scotland participating in the Women into Construction programme have completed a three-day course to build a wind turbine, facilitated by leading contractor Graham.
Women into Construction has been devised by Action for Children to encourage more females into the construction industry, where women currently only account for 14% of the workforce.
Graham is a lead partner of the initiative and arranged for the group of young women to take part in the wind turbine project with ConStructEd Scotland at Sibbald’s training facility at Blackridge, to further develop their learning and gain practical, real life construction experience.
The hands-on course has seen the group manage all aspects of the wind turbine construction project from the ground up. Working outdoors in the elements, the team have built formwork, tested and poured concrete before erecting the turbine mast and assembling the electrics to generate power.
Each stage of construction has involved the group learning and using a variety of materials, tools and skills which can then be put to good use in the working world when the programme ends.
Across the duration of the seven-week training programme, the young women from Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian will learn about various sectors of the construction industry, each aspiring to secure an apprenticeship in their chosen field after they graduate from the course in May.
Suzanne Stevenson, social impact advisor for Graham, said: “As a company, Graham looks to provide as many opportunities as possible to the younger generation, including apprenticeship schemes and funding further education.
“It’s been a pleasure to watch the young women progress throughout the course and we look forward to supporting them in their futures where possible.”
Graham is a member of the 5% Club, an organisation consisting of companies committed to ensuring 5% of their workforce over the next five years is comprised of young people on structured learning schemes.
Those interested in applying for an apprenticeship with Graham in Scotland are encouraged to send a CV and covering letter to: [email protected]
