As female employment in construction hasn’t grown as strongly this year as the previous record year, we explore the benefits and rewards of working in construction. One company that is outperforming industry standards when it comes to a female workforce is Darwin Group—26% of their workforce is female[1] compared to an industry standard of 15%[2], according to the Office of National Statistics. Two leaders at Darwin Group reflect on their experiences and share advice for anyone considering a career in the healthcare construction sector.
Hayley Smith is the Strategy and Transformation Director at Darwin Group. She leads the on-demand modular healthcare solution projects.
"Historically, construction has been a very male-orientated industry. But when I look around our office and our teams, it feels as though there are more women that are part of our organisation. So, it's great to be part of an organisation that is helping to drive that change and celebrate a move away from what has previously happened in the industry.
The nature of working with organisations in healthcare means there are ever-changing needs, and so every customer requirement we get through the door at Darwin Group is completely different. As such, my role is incredibly varied, and I really enjoy that no two days are the same.
I’ve been really proud at Darwin Group to drive a change in the way we look at healthcare construction. Instead of being a construction company that works in healthcare, we are a healthcare company enabled by construction. We’ve shifted to really look at it through the healthcare lens first and put the patient at the heart of everything we do.
If I could give advice to any girls or women out there who want to go into construction, it would be to look past the surface-level image. While many people like to go outside on-site, wear a hard hat, and get their boots muddy, it's not all about that. My favourite bit about working in healthcare construction is living and breathing a build—actually seeing the reaction from patients, NHS staff, and the community when a new estate is delivered. Witnessing the impact of how it can help them deliver better care so we can all live better lives is why I want to keep doing what we’re doing.
Over the next ten years, I think we’ll see even more innovation and collaboration between healthcare and construction, particularly Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The integration of advanced practices and technologies will become the norm, leading to more efficient and patient-centred healthcare facilities.
Women will play a crucial role in driving these changes. As more women join the construction industry, they'll bring diverse perspectives and skills. I'm proud to be part of this journey and to continue contributing to the positive impact we can make in healthcare construction."
Elizabeth Jenkins is the Head of Project Delivery at Darwin Group. She is responsible for heading up a live project delivery team that combines the three disciplines of design, commercial, and construction, ensuring that high-quality projects are delivered for clients in line with their budgetary, programme, and healthcare needs.
"I actually entered the construction industry unintentionally—I was drawn in by the inclusive environment here, the team spirit. I started at Darwin Group on the commercial side, and after a few years, I began broadening my focus to cross-reference with both the design and construction sides. We all learn from each other here, and seeing how other people have developed has spurred me on. Yes, construction can be a male-dominated environment—I have learnt a great deal from my colleagues, and I have never once felt like anyone has viewed me differently.
Construction is an exciting industry to be a part of. There isn't a typical day, and that's what I enjoy the most. Every day brings a new challenge, new bits and pieces you'll find yourself exploring, which leads to seamless development. My role is split between our office and sites—when you tell people about construction sites, they immediately have their own preconceptions, but that wasn’t really something I was worried about. Over the years, as my roles have changed, the construction site environment is one I am regularly in, and despite being a very girly girl, I absolutely love it.
My biggest piece of advice to anyone interested in starting a career in construction is to just give it a go! See what it’s like for yourself. From the outside, some might expect that you have to be a certain way—look, talk, and act a certain way—but you really don't. Here at Darwin Group especially, you can be whoever you want to be if you set yourself to it and work hard, and people will accept and respect that.
Over the next ten years, I think we’ll see an increase in healthcare requirements paired with an advancement of technical offerings. I am excited to be a part of this and to continue on our journey here at Darwin Group, placing patient needs front and centre to continue delivering excellent facilities that all can be proud of and that will make a life-changing difference."
