Reds10 take part in ACE roundtable discussing Project Speed & the School Building Programme
18 February 2021
Women in Construction Week 2021: Karen Purdy
11 March 2021Women in Construction Week 2021: Uthira Balachandar
At Reds10, we believe that every day is the right time to celebrate, empower and uplift our staff - all of them - because whether it is a particular awareness week or not, they do their jobs and they do them exceptionally well. We #choosetochallenge in our everyday lives - whether it is the misconceptions about modular construction, or the roles of our team within it. We implore our industry, daily, not just to pay lip service to the various issues it faces, but to make a real change. Today.
But, we recognise as well, the value in celebrating women in construction together, as a industry-wide initiative. So, join us to talk to some of our staff during Women In Construction Week 2021.
What is it?
The focus of Women in Construction (WIC) Week is to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry, to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry.
Uthira Balachandar, Senior Design Manager
I have always been interested in architecture, whether it be gazing at buildings as I walked by them or when I accompanied my father during the construction of our house in India. It was then that I discovered I was not only fascinated by design, but also by the entire construction process.
The construction industry is an extremely satisfying profession. Seeing a design transformed into a building gives me a sense of accomplishment.
I relish the challenge of bringing together architects, structural engineers, and service engineers along with specialist designers, with the aim of producing a coordinated design and managing construction on site.
Every day is different and brings with it its own challenges. But that’s exactly why I love it. Working with my peers to solve those challenges in a smart, creative, adaptable way brings with it an intense sense of fulfilment. I can think of little that could better that feeling of seeing a drawing or a plan come to life in the factory and ultimately on site. Walking through the spaces you’ve been seeing on the screen for so long in real life, knowing that you played your part in the complex system that made it all happen, is really special.
What I love most about the industry is that every day is different and brings with it its own challenges. But that’s exactly why I love it. Working with my peers to solve those challenges in a smart, creative, adaptable way brings with it an intense sense of fulfilment. I can think of little that could better that feeling of seeing a drawing or a plan come to life in the factory and ultimately on site. Walking through the spaces you’ve been seeing on the screen for so long in real life, knowing that you played your part in the complex system that made it all happen, is really special.
I'm not just saying this because of Women in Construction Week, but the industry needs to employ more women. The gender gap is something I feel particularly strongly about. Why is our industry still not seen as a completely normal career path for girls and women of the next generation? Currently, women only make up something like 11% of the industry and in roles on site, this is right down at 1%. We need to encourage this to change. From the images we portray in the media, to how we talk about our work. It has to start now. Luckily, we have a group of particularly passionate, visionary, skilled women at Reds10 and I am looking forward to seeing more join our team in the coming weeks, months and years.
What would I say to my younger self? That challenges exist in every industry and, let’s be honest, the construction field is very demanding. But, that passion that has been lit within you – for the industry, delivering projects, working with the right team – that’s what’s going to drive you. It will never go dim. Hold onto it and let it show you the way. You will make your splash in the industry.
