What is your name?

Esme Joanne Brooke

What is your current job?

Document Controller

What job did you want to do when you were younger?

I really had no idea what I wanted to do but I did know that I wanted to work and earn myself a good wage; to this end I worked for Boots the Chemist on a government Youth Training scheme back in 1984 which ended up getting me a full-time job as a No.7 Cosmetic Consultant.

Can you describe a typical day in your current job?

Identify emails which have arrived during the time between logging off and logging back on which have drawings attached and need loading onto Deltek, the document management system. The system and the Project Managers are required to have the most up to date drawings and specifications for the project to hand. The drawings need to be checked as per version control and drawing reference numbers before being loaded into Deltek.

I am now assisting with the Quality Assurance process for the project, setting up template documents and inputting dates against each record when Q.A. has taken place.

I also process purchase orders for projects ensuring delivery has taken place on site before the goods are paid for.

Why did you choose construction as a career?

I chose the role, which happened to be in construction. I felt the role required skills which I have acquired over my career, and I felt this would be a good position to take on. I worked for 12 years for British Rail and had a successful role within a male dominated environment which didn’t faze me.

I enjoy learning about new industries and have found that there are a lot of health and safety and quality assurance similarities between construction and the rail industry.

Did you have any reservations or concerns about joining the industry as a woman? Have these changed?

I had no reservations whatsoever.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge of being a woman working within construction?

Being around men who may have an attitude towards women. The project team I am currently working with have been very welcoming and supportive of me being new to the industry - I feel they understand I can offer and support them in different ways, so it makes for a good team effort.

What is the favourite part of your job?

There isn’t one part of my role I don’t like. I enjoy working from home and being in the peace and quiet to be very productive, but then the flexibility of having to go to the Leeds office or site (Manchester). I love that I’m given the responsibility to manage my own workload.

Would you recommend a career in construction to women? Why?

I would yes. I have found the work really interesting. Understanding programmes of works from start to finish has been an exciting part of my role.

Do you have any advice to any woman who’s currently thinking about coming into the construction industry?

Do it! You will never look back. The work is varied and interesting. And yes, it has its down side in the winter when it’s cold on site, but the work is very rewarding.