Former Walsall College Construction student, Claire Brittain, was presented with the Rising Star honour at the 2016 Women in Construction Awards. Assistant Site Manager at BAM Construction, Claire, said: “I feel really flattered to have received this award as there were a lot of nominees shortlisted. I hope that I can help me be a good role model to other females considering entering the construction industry.”
She continued: “It shows that you can be a woman, have children – and have a career in construction. It’s important that if women want to get into the construction industry, they follow their dream and let nothing stand in their way!
“I always knew I wanted to work in the construction industry and it’s one of the best things I’ve done and I take it all in my stride – I often forget I’m sometimes the only female out on site and my colleagues fully accept me based on my skills."
Claire’s fascination with construction started when she was aged 15 and her parents were getting an extension built. She said: “I became intrigued by the way everything came together and I phoned around every local building firm in Birmingham that was listed in the Yellow Pages – before I got my first job with local company, S&G Construction. After this I got onto a bricklaying apprenticeship scheme with national housebuilder, Taylor Wimpey.”
In between having her two children, Claire decided to build on her skills and she enrolled on to a Level 3 BTEC in Construction and the Built Environment course at Walsall College, before landing the job she had always wanted with BAM, who sponsored her to complete her Level 4 Higher National Certificate.
Her first project at BAM was working on the redevelopment of the Barclaycard Arena (formerly the NIA) in Birmingham. She has also most recently completed the works at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Other Place development in Stratford-upon-Avon.
She adds: “My day-to-day role at BAM Construction is wonderful and I enjoy every minute of it as no day is ever the same! Construction sites can be challenging when dealing with issues such as materials or labour delays, but I love having that challenge as it really pushes you. BAM are a fantastic company to work for and I receive exceptional training and support. I’m so glad I continued with my education and never gave up on my dream career.”
Claire has also now continued onto the BSc Honours in Construction Management qualification to achieve her full degree, which she is due to complete in 2017.
The 2016 Women in Construction Awards 2016 took place on Wednesday 23rd March 2016 at The Palace Hotel, Manchester.
Now in their tenth year, the awards provide a showcase for the brightest and the best female achievers in the construction and built environment industries.
