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With this week heralding the start of Women in Construction Week, Shona MacMillan, BriggsAmasco Area Safety Advisor for the Yorkshire & North East, reveals why she joined the industry, how her career has evolved, and what being a woman in construction feels like today.

Tell us about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in construction.

My background is a HND in Geological Technology and a degree in Applied Geology. These courses were predominantly male-orientated, so I have always been accustomed to this type of environment.

I worked as an Occupational Hygiene Consultant – building surveys for asbestos, dust and noise, and LEV monitoring for various industries.

A health and safety job opportunity arose in the sheeting and cladding roofing business my partner worked for, which is how I got into construction.

I then moved to a brick manufacturer as a Technical Officer – Health and Safety/ Environment/ Quality Control. I was also their Deputy Quarry Manager. This involved managing the biannual clay wins, planning works, inducting sub-contract plant operators, environmental monitoring for dust and noise, and compliance with council permits etc. 

What was your first role at BriggsAmasco, and how did you find the experience as a woman entering the industry?

My first role was as Area Safety Advisor, initially covering Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds and Hull branches. My current area is North East & Yorkshire.  I found that the construction industry was more supportive than manufacturing, providing a variety of work environments and people to work with.

How has your career developed and progressed since you first joined the company?

The role has expanded to include Health and Safety representation on the Integrated Management System group, which deals with management systems and external audits. The company is brilliant at arranging training to expand knowledge and skill sets to support the business and employees’ job roles.

Have you recognised positive changes in attitude towards women during your career in the construction industry?

There are still times when you must be very specific and clear in your communication with people to get them to take note. However, when you listen to those doing the work to get their opinions on a task, you get a much more positive response.

What key challenges does your current role as Area Safety Advisor present?

I’m not as forceful at communicating as I could be, so it can be a challenge to ensure  the points you raise are understood and considered.

Is there a particular project you have worked on that stands out as especially exciting or rewarding?

I’ve been fortunate to work on several projects nationwide that I really enjoyed and was proud to be a part of the team. I thrive more when I feel I’ve been of benefit to the team and the work carried out.

What are your future career ambitions within the construction industry?

I’m happy to be in a role that suits my knowledge, experience and qualifications.

I want to ensure that the support I provide to the business is practical and helps the company improve its health and safety through new techniques, methods of work and understanding. This is to help everyone be aware of health and safety, and naturally think about controls and applying them as standard in the way we work.

For more information on National Women in Construction Week, click here

National Women in Construction Week promotes the crucial role women play in the building industry. The annual initiative, led by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), takes place between March 1^st and 7^th.

Throughout the week, thousands of professionals throughout the UK will come together for a range of industry and social events designed to highlight the importance of diversity, equity, and opportunity in shaping the built environment.

Women account for approximately 15% of the UK construction workforce. This figure, which equates to circa 340,000 employees, includes roles in design, management, administration, surveying, architecture and engineering. On construction sites, women represent about 1% of the manual workforce. Therefore, women remain the sector’s most untapped demographic – an issue that must be addressed in order to fill the current skilled labour shortage.

The gender imbalance is beginning to level-out in terms of trainees. A record number of females started a UK construction apprenticeship in 2024/25. This constituted a total of 2,630 female entrants, and a 9% increase on the previous year’s intake.

Challenging perceptions through inclusive and diverse recruitment 

As an employer with a long-established commitment to operating a diverse and inclusive recruitment policy, leading commericlal waterproofing and roofing specialist BriggsAmasco is attuned to the need for women to become a more impactful presence in the construction workplace.

Rebecca Lawther, Briggs Amasco’s Head of HR and Training, said the perception of construction as a mainly male domain remains a barrier to more women entering the industry and making their mark.

Rebecca, who joined the company in 2006 and is based at its head office in Cradley Heath, Birmingham, said: “I think there is still an element of unconscious bias against women when being considered for leadership roles in the building sector. Unfounded concerns that they may not be mentally strong enough to deal with the competitive and tough nature of the business, and that they may let emotions get the better of them, remain prevalent in the industry. BriggsAmasco has long refuted that notion. The company has several women in strong, important, lead positions – myself included – who are walking, talking examples to all within the business that women can more than handle leadership roles.”

BriggsAmasco implements a comprehensive training programme to support the personal and professional development of female apprentices and employees. These range from NVQs in construction leadership to CIPD courses in Human Resources, Learning & Development, and online Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training.

Rebecca said adopting a ‘robust’ EDI policy was particularly important in eradicating the conception that women aren’t physically or mentally built for a career in construction. 

She added: “Businesses and the building industry as a whole could be doing more to highlight success stories of women who have broken barriers and shown they have a place within the sector.”

Student engagement and promoting the benefits of a building career

The building industry needs to recruit 50,000 pesonnel a year to fulfil future building projects. Closer engagement with schools and colleges will be key to meeting that target. BriggsAmasco is further strengthening its ties with students through the ‘Developing the Young Workforce’ (DYW) scheme in Scotland. It includes hosting a careers engagement course featuring mock job interviews to help youngsters prepare for the recruitment process.

With unprecedented demand for skilled labour, there has never been a better time to join the construction industry. Good job security, competitive pay and an occupation that’s as varied as it is fulfilling; there is much to recommend a building career at any level.

For women already committed to the building profession, Rebecca Lawther advised: “Believe in yourself and your ability at all times. You do not have to go out of your way to prove yourself. Let your knowledge, experience, and work ethic do the talking.”

For more information on National Women in Construction Week, click here

Scottish Apprenticeship Week spotlights the power of apprenticeships to build careers, grow businesses and boost the economy.

The annual campaign takes place between March 2^nd and 6^th. It includes job fairs, site tours, webinars, and career guidance sessions as part of a packed programme designed to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships to youngsters, parents and employers. 

As an employer committed to offering qualification-based opportunities for trainees, leading commercial roofing and waterproofing contractor BriggsAmasco, is a keen advocate of National Apprenticeship Week.

The company currently employs 18 apprentices across the business, which includes branches based in Aberdeen and Glasgow. It also provides ongoing training support for all staff up to NVQ Level 7. The company is stepping up its training programme with the roll-out of several key events throughout 2026.

Allan Doris, branch manager (Glasgow) at BriggsAmasco said inspiring a new generation to embark on a career in construction is good for business and the industry.

“Our apprentices are the company’s future,” he said. “Their energy, passion and ideas bring so much to the business. Hence, we are committed to nurturing that talent. The construction industry’s ongoing skills shortage highlights why the sector as a whole must strive to sell building as a viable and valuable career choice.”

Nearly 40,000 apprentices are enrolled in training programmes across Scotland. Statistics show that modern apprentices earn up to 52% more than recruits who fail to complete their training.

This year, BriggsAmasco is further progressing its training offering with a range of enterprising initiatives in Scotland.

As well as its Glasgow branch hoping to recruit three flat roofing apprentices between March and August, the company is hosting an introductory roofing training programme. The Bauder Blue Roof demonstration, in partnership with Bauder and Multiplex, takes place at the University of Glasgow. The session aims to provide students and university staff with insights into roofing innovation and installation practices.

BriggsAmasco is also strengthening its relationship with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) North Lanarkshire. The initiative will further connect BriggsAmasco with schools and colleges, with the company hosting local students for a careers engagement course. Sessions will include mock job interviews to help youngsters prepare for the recruitment process.

Additionally, BriggsAmasco will continue to work with training partners such as Tigers Group to further expand career development opportunities for youngsters. The company will also remain committed to its branch buddy system. It includes trainee mentoring and providing its West Midlands head office with positive appraisals and structured reviews on each apprentice’s progress.

Allan continued: “Apprenticeships offer more than professional qualifications and experience. They help further develop trainees’ personal development, providing valuable real-world insights and situations that will benefit them for life.”

For more information on Scottish Apprenticeship Week, click here

The 2025 Safety Forum was held at our head office in Cradley Heath, on 10/11 June and was attended by branch & contracts managers and sub-contractors.

Both days started with an introduction by our Managing Director, Tony Lawther, followed by our guest speakers, and our team of Safety Advisors.

The areas covered over the two days were.

• Key H&S Messages
• Update on H&S
• Behaviour standards
• Core 4
• Fire safety feedback
• Treating Health Like Safety – Noise & Dust
• Cultural Safety Survey
• Share With Pride & Pain – Branch Managers shared their Best Practice and H&S challenges 
• Duncan’s Personal H&S Story
• Risk perception
• Safe start, safe finish

The day ended with a Q&A session with all of our Directors.

Pictures from the two days

The 19^th annual celebration of trainees, skills and their positive impact on individuals and businesses takes place in the form of National Apprenticeship Week.

The week-long government initiative, beginning February 9^th, includes a range of digital toolkits, each one bespoke to raise awareness on the benefits of apprenticeships among employees, stakeholders, schools, students and parents.

Leading UK roofing and waterproofing contractor, BriggsAmasco is a long-term advocate of traineeships. The company currently employs 18 apprentices. It also provides ongoing training support for all staff up to NVQ Level 7.

Tony Lawther, BriggsAmasco Managing Director, began his career as a Briggs’ apprentice in 1984. He said the programme was important for personal development, as well as gaining a qualification and a career.

He said: “Apprenticeships help people grow by allowing them to learn on the job while earning money. Apprentices pick up real skills, confidence, and good work habits from experienced roofers, not just from a classroom. They improve over time, take on more responsibility, and often move straight into full-time work. The connections they make can also lead to long-term jobs.”

Paid apprenticeships are crucial in ensuring a new generation of construction workers has the skills to meet the UK’s future building needs.

A 2025 CITB report estimates that an additional 47,860 workers will be required per year until 2029 to keep pace with projected project demand.

Explaining BriggsAmasco’s trainee recruitment process, Tony Lawther said that trainees were seconded through two main channels: managers identifying a specific operational need that required an apprentice, or recognising an exceptional candidate whose talent warranted creating a new position within the company.

“We’re building skills today by training people on the job, giving them real experience, and supporting them as they grow,” he said. “Through apprenticeships, mentoring, and hands-on learning, we’re helping our teams develop confidence, strong work habits, and up-to-date skills that will shape the future workforce at BriggsAmasco. It’s an invaluable experience that could stand them in good stead for life.”

For more information on National Apprenticeship Week and the live online events, click here.

Thanks has been given to our Chessington branch for making a donation of PPE to West London College. They have shared their gratitude in their LinkedIn post.

Allan Doris has received a letter from Cumbernald’s local MP Katrina Murray praising the branch’s work in the local community. “I want to express my heartfelt thanks for everything your business has contributed to our community over the past twelve months.”

You can read the full letter here.