Championing Women in Construction: Former Student Joins Rotherham College Brickwork Team
The Brickwork department recently strengthened its staff with the addition of former Rotherham College Level 3 Brickwork Student Ellie Rose Tizard.
Ellie, who has joined Rotherham College as a Brickwork Technician, hopes to inspire other young women to consider a career in Construction. Currently, women make up just 13% of employees in the industry.
Ellie said: “I’ve always wanted to work in the construction industry and as it’s a male-dominated industry I really wanted to prove myself. I don’t like to follow trends; I like to follow my own path.
“At College, I was the only girl in my group but it didn’t bother me because I was there to focus on learning. The tutors are incredibly supportive and helped me prepare for work by building my confidence, which meant when I was doing work experience I wasn’t afraid to ask questions.”
Ellie’s hard work paid off and she secured a full-time role with her work placement provider Todwick-based RPD Landscapes where she worked for 18 months as a labourer and picked up a range of other skills, including joinery.
Now, as a Brickwork technician she supports students with their projects, helps with ordering and preparing tools and materials and ensures workspaces are kept clean and tidy.
Ellie said: “I wanted to come back and work for the College because it’s such a great environment to be in; everyone is so friendly. Some of the students have been surprised to find out that the new technician is a woman, but I hope that me being here will change those perceptions.”.
Interim Curriculum Manager for Construction Simon Muschamp was delighted to have Ellie join the team.
He said: “Ellie has done herself proud and has hit the ground running; she’s got stuck in with supporting students and staff and has been busy in the workshops. There’s certainly room for her to grow and develop in this role.”
Simon continued: “We have female members of staff in supporting roles but it’s great to have a female member of the core construction team. As a previous student Ellie can also offer a fresh perspective on how we run and teach the course.”
In the future, Ellie hopes to start up her own construction business and wants to encourage other women and girls to do the same.
“For anyone – and women in particular – thinking about going into the industry, I would say go for it! It can open so many doors. Studying construction at Rotherham College is a great place to start: the courses are great, the college is great, the people are great.”
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