It was very hard. The other people in the class didn't know how to talk to me. But I was very persistent. I followed them to the café even if I wasn't invited, and they came round eventually.
Have you ever felt that being a woman has held you back?
No. People are always cautious in the beginning, but it's all about attitude on the part of the woman. I'm very positive. I'm a happy-go-lucky person anyway and I always take an interest in what's going on in the building process. The project manager Andy Lipscombe and the site manager Andy Barnes on this job have been very supportive.
I wouldn't take kindly to being treated differently because I was a woman, but I also feel there is a need for organisations such as Women in Manual Trades to provide outside support for women in construction.
Has coming to the construction industry so late been a disadvantage?
No, but I do want to see younger women in construction, and the door is open for them now. A lot of construction companies are genuinely looking to recruit women, not just as tokenism. Construction will benefit from more women because they are more cautious and aware of safety, and it might help improve the industry's terrible safety record.
hen did you become interested in construction?
I always have been. When I left school, in the late 1960s, I wanted to do something practical, but the building industry was a big no-no for women at the time. So I drifted into nursing and then lots of other jobs. I even ran a pig farm in Spain with my husband for a while. So in between that and having a family it wasn't until the 1980s that I got to do what I really wanted to. And construction was booming for women then, so I became a plumber and haven't looked back since.
How did you get where you are today?
A lot of hard work. I have had to make a lot of sacrifices, but my husband has been very supportive. Women and Manual Trades and Building Work for Women have both helped a lot and Higgins has given me this job and the opportunity to go into management.
What are your ambitions?
Because of my age (she is 50) I have to be realistic. I'd like to be a site manager, maybe even senior site manager, but I think that's about as far as I will get.
I'm very positive. I'm a happy-go-lucky person and I always take an interest in what's going on in the building process
What's the first thing you do when you get onto site in the morning?
Head for the coffee machine!
What's the most common problem you encounter?
The tenants leaving a mess in their flats and getting access to properties. We have no keys and have to try and make appointments. There are 96 occupied flats and it is tricky working round people. Everyone has a different problem.
What's the most rewarding thing about your present job?
When the residents are satisfied and we get good feedback from them. We get feedback constantly, good and bad!
What's the worst thing about your job?
Dealing with so many people at the same time. Refurb is damn hard work and you need a really good team round you. Luckily we all get on as a team here, and they always include me, even if it's just to go to the café.
When does the day end for you?
I try to get away by 6pm, but sometimes get stopped in the car park by a tenant with a list of complaints.
What project are you working on next?
I will probably stay at Higgins. It has a contract to do another refurb in Lewisham.
Source
Construction Manager
Postscript
Georgette Bouza ACIOB is a 50-year-old resident liaison officer for Higgins Construction. She qualified in June 2001 and is working on the £5.3m refurbishment of Kender estate in New Cross for the London Borough of Lewisham. Work began last month and is due to finish in September.
No comments yet