Women in Construction

While we support all our staff, we’re especially proud of some of the women who take a proactive role in promoting the industry and want to be role models for the next generation, showcasing the wide range of construction roles. For example, Jackie Hall – who has been a Winvic employee since 2001 when there were just 8 employees – has worked her way up from her role as a general administrator
to our Compliance Manager.

As part of her role, she has worked with HR in creating and rolling out Winvic’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme, she manages the Considerate Constructors Scheme and she presents at primary and secondary schools.

Jackie says: “I stepped up in this area as I felt it was extremely important for the young audiences to see a woman, talking about construction in ways they may not have imagined. If my speaking in a hall inspires even a handful of girls to consider a career in the industry, I feel I’ve done something to be proud of.”

Oliwia Karwatka started working for us as a BIM Coordinator in 2020 and in 2023 she became one of our Digital Engineers. Outside of her day-to-day responsibilities she is a STEM Ambassador and helps to showcase the types of design, technical and digital roles that are available in construction. She enjoys attending events to talk to students about their career options and Winvic’s appetite for innovation.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Oliwia was a finalist in the ‘STEM Champion’ award at the Inspiring Women in Engineering and Construction Awards 2024, highlighting her exceptional efforts in promoting STEM careers and inspiring future generations

Oliwia says “I fell in love with construction through playing The Sims and in many ways the CGIs that I create as part of my job could be right out of a computer game! I work with various digital platforms like CAD, Revit, Sketchup and Lumion to create CGI and render snapshots of project progress, which are utilised in client and team presentations, briefings and forward-planning. Looking at a Gantt chart to visualise what a project looks like in week 17 is really difficult; visuals make all the difference. I also create logistics plans for site teams, again visual outputs, which illustrate what’s going on across the site at any given time. Basically, where deliveries of materials will be placed and where the live work packages are being undertaken.”

Name: Suranne Murray
Position: Trainee Site Supervisor
Held Role Since: August 2022
Currently studying: Level 4 Site Supervision

Describe Your Role: Winvic has supported me to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for my Apprenticeship and I’ve worked on three different projects, exposing me to many different packages across industrial and civils and infrastructure. I’ve also spent time with all the different departments and understanding everybody’s roles has helped me do mine more effectively. I love being out on site every day where I look after a wide variety of things. I manage where materials are stored on site, create work permits, collect and review subcontractor daily briefings, deliver site inductions and undertake morning site walks, resolving any issues I find along the way. My responsibilities have increased as my confidence and skills have grown, and I was recently the main site management contact while my manager was on holiday. This helped me believe in myself even more because I proved that I have built excellent relationships with the whole team and I’m able to lead collaborative problem-solving discussions.

Advice for people wanting to join Winvic? I didn’t have much confidence when I started, but I was sure I wanted a hands-on, on-site role where I could make an immediate difference. If you’re proactive, positive and show your appetite for learning, Winvic will support you – I almost can’t believe how much I’ve developed in two years! So much so that I received a highly commended recognition from CECA Midlands in the Most Promising Apprentice of the Year category.

Name: Laila Yasar
Position: Environmental Advisor
Held Role Since: September 2022

Laila says: “I’m so thankful Winvic saw my potential and that the business really cares about developing the next generation. In fact, I was lucky enough to play my part in that when we hosted a sixth form student who is interested in a career in environmental at the SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton site. I explained our Environmental Management Systems, including certain paperwork and best practice, and I took her on a site tour to show her what I assess during an environmental site visit. I’m proud to work for a company who really cares about protecting the environment and making positive contributions, as that’s what I care about.”