Changing Attitudes Towards Women’s Careers in Construction

By Vicki Stiles, UltraFloor Brand Manager at Instarmac Group

I began my career in construction 15 years ago, joining Instarmac as a sales coordinator for their UltraCrete highways brand. For the past decade, my focus has been on growing the flooring brand, first as area sales manager, moving up to project manager, key account manager and now brand manager.

During this time, the flooring and broader construction industry have faced significant changes and challenges, such as labour and skills shortages, supply chain issues and navigating the Covid pandemic. The CFA has played a crucial role in addressing these issues, providing valuable support and guidance to the industry.

As a woman working in a male-dominated sector, I have also faced my fair share of challenges. Sadly, there have been occasions when I have conducted site visits and my opinion was dismissed, my expertise was doubted, and I was overlooked in favour of my male colleagues. This is a frustrating reality that many of my female counterparts have also experienced, and it is something we have worked hard to overcome.

That being said, over the course of my career, I have seen a remarkable transformation in people’s attitudes towards women working in construction. Today, half the UltraFloor team are female, and they are doing a phenomenal job breaking down stereotypes and driving the industry forward. I am proud of what we have achieved.

In my time leading the UltraFloor brand, I am proud to have been elected to the CFA Council and guided UltraFloor to victory as Manufacturer of the Year at the CFJ Awards – two of my proudest achievements so far.

The flooring industry is brimming with opportunities for growth and career development. For those starting out in construction, I recommend taking advantage of the free online resources available. The CFA provides a variety of materials to support and educate new professionals.

Additionally, many manufacturers offer free training programmes, and with more women joining the construction sector, there are also excellent mentoring opportunities to explore.

I would love to see more women engaged at every level of the construction industry, from apprentices and floorlayers, all the way up to contracts manager and specification manager.

As a member of the CFA Council, I am passionate about showcasing the fantastic opportunities the construction industry offers. Many people, especially women, may not even be aware of the diverse roles and possibilities available. I am committed to changing that through increased exposure and awareness.

If you are looking for advice on working in the construction sector, I am here to help. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or email me directly at vickis@instarmac.co.uk – I am more than happy to provide guidance and support anytime.