In an industry facing a skills shortage and striving to improve diversity, the importance of recognition and visible role models cannot be overstated. We know this industry can be a fantastic place for women to grow their careers and develop their skills, but there are still barriers and misconceptions to overcome. To attract and retain leading female talent, we need to acknowledge those barriers, dispel those misconceptions, and celebrate the women integral to our successes.

These were our aims for International Women’s Day last month, and the driving force behind Kier’s webinar on how Kier is embracing equity in a male-dominated industry and our video spotlighting some of the brilliant women working across Kier Highways.

Kier Highways colleagues and Women in Transport members, Donna Howard and Emily Carmichael, who featured in the webinar and video respectively, reflect on their contributions to promoting our industry to more women.

It is no secret that companies with diverse and engaged workforces see benefits in performance, productivity, and retention. Yet these benefits can’t be realised without truly inclusive cultures. Though positive progress has been made, there is still work to be done in our industry to ensure women are attracted to these careers, valued in their roles, and retained and developed into leadership.

At Kier Highways, we plan to continue celebrating our female talent, ensuring development and progression is equal and accessible, providing opportunities to inspire the next generation of women, and encouraging connection, networking, and personal growth through our strong partnership with Women in Transport.