Celebrating Women in Construction Week
At Copper our work is driven by insights and intelligence, and we’re always asking questions to deepen our understanding of the sectors we focus on. However, for our new interview series, we’re opening the floor and asking other industry professionals to quiz the experts!
To kick off ‘Five Questions With’, we sat down with Lorraine Gregory, Director at Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Midlands, and put five questions to her from construction, engineering and utilities leaders.
Her insightful responses provide a compelling look at the state of the construction industry, while also offering her perspective as a woman with 15 years of experience in the sector –particularly relevant as we celebrate Women in Construction Week.
1. What do you think are the key lessons learnt from across the industry that could be used to improve the delivery of future infrastructure projects in the Midlands? And what projects or innovations do you think will have the most transformative effect on the region?
Asked by Alix Reynolds, Design Manager at Galliford Try
One of the biggest challenges, and something that CECA members frequently highlight, is the need for a clear and reliable pipeline of work with accurate funding projections. A well-structured pipeline allows businesses to plan ahead, innovate, and grow sustainably. In the UK, changing government priorities can often disrupt the consistency of project pipelines. Greater clarity in funding and planning would significantly enhance the delivery of infrastructure projects.
Another crucial factor is the speeding up of procurement processes. Delays in procurement lead to financial insecurity due to economic changes, a loss in productivity, and the potential to lose experience and skills form the sector. Faster approvals would allow projects to move forward more efficiently, and it also allows companies to plan investment in their own businesses
In terms of transformative projects in the region that I’m excited about, HS2 is a major development for Birmingham and the Midlands. We of course need to be mindful of the public’s perception of the project, but given the scale of the work, what it’s aiming to achieve for our economy, and the innovative approach being taken, I look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring to the region and the country.
Beyond individual projects, I’m also excited about AI and what that’s going to bring, with huge digital developments. The advancement in systems and technologies are going to transform our working lives and change our industry for the better by supporting productivity, growth and the skills agenda.
2.Do you think the wider public is supportive of investment in infrastructure in the region, and what are some of the challenges your members find when delivering projects?
Asked by Ioan Reed-Aspley, Head of Corporate Affairs at East Midlands Airport
Overall, I believe the public is supportive of infrastructure projects, especially when they understand the benefits. We’ve seen a lot of calls over the last few months for road, rail and water improvements. When people can understand the wider benefits such as better services, improvements in the wider environment, improved public spaces, job creation and economic growth, there is even more support. For instance, improving water and sewerage systems is crucial; the general public are becoming more environmentally conscious about how they can go about their daily lives and dealing with the impact of climate change.
However, there are challenges. Every project will raise public concerns, and this highlights the need for transparency and regular communication on work that will be carried out – as well as on the benefits. People want to be informed about how projects will impact their daily lives. The industry works very hard to address their worries, ensuring that the public are clear on potential disruption and that they understand the long-term gains of infrastructure development. Although as a sector we know we need to do more and be transparent with the communities we are serving. We are never carrying out work for the sake of it, or to purposefully inconvenience people, so regular, easy-to-understand messaging is essential.
3. How can civil engineering practices and organisations evolve to align with the government’s Net Zero goals, and how does CECA Midlands support its members in integrating sustainability and social value into their operations?
Asked by Oliver Gough, Account Manager at Copper
The construction sector plays a significant role in achieving Net Zero, as it is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions. Many CECA members are already making strides in sustainability, though companies are at different stages of their journey. Some are leading the way, sharing their expertise with others, while many are just beginning and looking for practical steps to make meaningful changes.
Key focus areas include adopting alternative-fuel vehicles, adopting new technology, improving recycling efforts, and creating circular economies on construction sites. But I think we need to shout more about what we are actually doing in our sector around the environment and sustainability. For us at CECA, we’ve got a huge role to play in this and we are ensuring we capture and share knowledge and lessons learnt from across the sector to support achieving Net Zero ambitions.
CECA Midlands actively supports members through guidance, information-sharing, events such as carbon literacy training, and toolkits we help businesses integrate sustainability and social value into their operations. A key initiative is our Social Value Toolkit, which helps SMEs navigate tendering processes while incorporating sustainability and local employment opportunities.
Through networking, sharing advice and good practice, and supporting each we can collectively move in the right direction and do better for people and the environment, both within and outside of contracts and contractual compliance.
4. The English Devolution White Paper sets out ambitious plans to devolve decision making and budgets to Combined Authorities to drive growth in their areas. How can you and your members work with the Combined Authorities to ensure that there is a skilled workforce to deliver these ambitions, and support equality, diversity, and inclusion in our industry?
Asked by Collette Carroll, Managing Director of Transportation at AtkinsRéalis
The Midlands has benefited significantly from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) since 2016, particularly in addressing skills shortages. When HS2 was announced and the demand for skilled workers surged, there was competition from other major projects like Hinkley, which had attracted a lot of technical construction employment to the south west region.
CECA Midlands worked closely with the WMCA and partners to research skills gaps across the region and produce a report which demonstrated construction as a key priority area for the West Midlands. This allowed funding from the WMCA’s adult education budget to be aligned to our sector to provide training for roles in demand, such as groundworkers and plant operatives. This model shows devolution can be a force for good.
I’m very much an advocate for devolution. In the West Midlands, I think it showcased how local business, local demand, local training and local skills can be collectively considered to benefit the economy, community and workforce.
5. The UK construction industry is made up of only 15% women. How do you think the construction industry can better promote and sustain diversity and inclusion beyond Women in Construction Week, and what role can organisations like CECA Midlands play in this?
Asked by Heidi Salmons, Director of Marketing, Business Development and Social Responsibility at Winvic
The construction industry faces challenges in recruitment overall and ensuring that all individuals see the sector as accessible is key. Visibility is crucial and people need to see diverse representation to feel encouraged to join.
While industry awareness days are valuable, I believe we’ve got to make sure that we maintain momentum all year-round. CECA Midlands is actively working to showcase the diverse career opportunities available in the sector, and as part of this we are creating a short film highlighting professionals from different backgrounds in various roles. The goal is to challenge misconceptions about the industry and raise awareness of the wide range of jobs that exist.
Parental influence is also important in career choices. Many parents are unfamiliar with the variety of occupations in the construction sector, so engagement should extend beyond schools to educate families. For example, a recent conversation I had with a parent about roles in the industry, like quantity surveying, revealed a lack of awareness about the potential opportunities available and what good opportunities exist in our sector.
Additionally, barriers such as self-employment requirements in certain trades can deter young people from pursuing construction careers. When we’re seeing people train, but over 40% of those not carrying on in construction once they finish college, there is definitely a problem that we need to understand and overcome. Apprenticeships offer a more structured route into the industry, providing both training and employment stability and promoting these routes are essential.
To help build awareness, CECA Midlands provides toolkits and presentations for schools, helping young people explore civil engineering as a viable and rewarding career path. Long-term, the industry needs to maintain its focus on inclusion and ensure that all individuals feel welcomed, valued, and supported.
Lorraine’s thoughts highlight both the challenges and opportunities facing the construction sector. As the industry evolves, collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity will be key to shaping a sustainable and resilient workforce.