Women in Hire


Recruiting, Training and Retaining Women has never been so important for the Hire Industry


…Says Graham Arundell, managing director of Hire Association Europe and Event Hire Association


A woman’s place is… building a house, running a factory or designing a shopping centre. At a time of increasing demand for construction projects, it is essential that the hire industry has the skills required to successfully deliver high quality work on time and women are stepping up to the plate. Forward-thinking organisations, like the Hire Association Europe (HAE), are


focused on making their industry a place which gives equal opportunities for all, where male or female workers are recruited, trained and nurtured into the best role for them. It is a misconception that heavy industry doesn’t involve many women – they are out there making big contributions on site, in the tool hire business, in the month-end accounts meeting and on the Executive Team at companies like JCB. The fact no one shouts about these women and they are just ‘one of the team’


is surely a sign that they have become an accepted part of the construction industry landscape. However, raising their profile and showing the vast array of opportunities available to women in the plant, tool and equipment hire industry, could help fill a skills shortage and give some candidates a future career choice they had previously not considered. This is a cause that particularly motivates Rebecca Bryson, National UK and


Ireland Compact Sales Manager at JCB. Born into a farming family, Rebecca grew up in a male dominated industry and has, by default, always had an affinity with machinery. Instead of joining the family business, Rebecca instead devoted herself to an equally rewarding role in the construction sector, rising through the ranks with 10 years’ experience now behind her. Bringing Value to the Industry Rebecca is dedicated to


engaging with more women and helping them to see the real value that a career in the hire industry can bring to their employer and to themselves. Rebecca explained: “Whatever the industry sector, there are always going to be misplaced perceptions about where women should and should not fit in. I believe that with hard work and a willingness to embrace challenges, anyone whether male or female can turn his or her role into a fantastically enjoyable one. “JCB is very pro-equality


and I do meet and talk to many women during my day to day activities. That said, there is still the potential for more women to be operating across all functions of the hire business - which would of course help to provide a great dynamic mix, especially out in the field. I would like to see more women not just involved in the industry but also sitting upon many boards to give a great depth to many businesses: with more female mentors I’m convinced we can attract and engage with more female colleagues, and that is a goal very firmly in my sights.” Mission to Inspire Another female role model, who is making it her mission to inspire young


workers to choose this diverse sector, is Suzannah Nichol, Chief Executive at Build UK. Suzannah has been in the role for almost 17 years, having started with a work experience placement on her friend’s father’s building site whilst still at school. She is passionate about Build UK’s work on Inspiring Construction which seeks to encourage people to choose a career in construction, from apprenticeships to degree level qualifications earned on the job. This includes Open Doors, a unique initiative which sees Build UK members open their live construction sites to see first-hand what it is like to work in the industry. Her route to the top has been aided by the tremendous support she has had at


every stage of her journey. The fact she actively found a firm to sponsor her through a construction management and technology course at university, followed by being nurtured on large-scale projects by experienced male colleagues, has


22 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE


helped her to develop her skills. Suzannah’s concern at the moment is


that the hire industry is missing out on a huge section of people who would have fantastic careers ahead of them, if only they knew more about it. She said: “People will take the path of least resistance, so you have to hold their hand and inspire them. We need to say ‘go to this website, here are your local employers, here’s the university or college course.’ It really is a passion of mine to make it an easy journey for people to get into construction. I’ve always been so excited by what we do: it’s amazing.” Sectors that supply the main contractors are keen to attract women to their


Graham Arundell


ranks. The tool and equipment hire business, traditionally a male dominated area of work, would like to boost their potential pool of employees by promoting the interesting roles which are available to women. Not everyone who works in tool and equipment hire has to be a whizz with a chainsaw! Equal Opportunities The Preparation Group, which is a leading supplier and hirer of highway


maintenance equipment, is headed up by Tracey Glew, Group Managing Director. The company structure represents a fine example of equality of opportunity - the key managers are a perfect 50/50 male/female split. Roles are also not stereotypical with females demonstrating machinery and leading on business strategy. Plant, tools and equipment


hire companies are promoting diversity in the industry. There is a careers website that is just about to launch and the sector has been quick to give awards out for people who have excelled in their field. For example, Billy-Jo


Hire Manager of the Year Billy-Jo Davies AFI Uplift


Davies was the winner in the HAE Hire Manager of the Year 2017 awards. She started her career six years ago as a Business Administration apprentice and rose quickly to be a Senior Hire Desk Manager at


AFI Uplift, supplier of access equipment, aerial platforms, scissor lifts and booms. As a middle manager at her firm she is delighted to be amongst a mainly female


team. She commented: “As a female in this industry you have to have a strong personality and work hard to prove you’re up to the job. If you’re willing to make the effort and get to know the best way of working with engineers, drivers and other colleagues, you can make quick progress.” Apprenticeships Galore The HAE has schemes in place for apprenticeships across many areas ranging


from trainee engineers to business managers. Gender is not seen as a barrier to gaining the skills required at all levels of the industry. Whether it’s positioning an access platform or working out the equipment


needed to support an event, there is now no typecast role for women wanting to work in the hire industry. They can be found side by side with male colleagues in a variety of positions and may be spearheading the latest project bringing a new retail park or spa hotel to a town near you. The empowerment of women will be a key topic at the forthcoming HAE EHA


Trade Fair & Convention at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry 11th-12th October 2017. For more information on exciting speakers and sessions, and details of how to attend, go to http://www.hireconvention.org.uk/


www.toolbusiness.co.uk


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