Uno degli obiettivi del progetto TOP CLeveR è la valorizzazione del ruolo delle donne nel settore edile, dando voce a professioniste e lavoratrici per promuovere la consapevolezza sulle opportunità in un ambito tradizionalmente maschile. 

Grazie al supporto al Chapter polacco di GBC, partner del progetto, condividiamo l’intervista con Anna Żmuda, ingegnere e ideatrice della prima conferenza dedicata alle donne nel settore delle costruzioni – New Me in Construction – evento che ha l’obiettivo di mettere in luce le specificità del lavoro al femminile nel settore edile polacco, le loro sfide quotidiane e le opportunità di sviluppo. Un focus sui trend in evoluzione e i differenti temi che emergono rispetto ai diversi percorsi di carriera.

 

“New Me in Construction”, an event in Poland is the occasion to talk about female professions

This is an interview with Anna Żmuda, who has worked in the construction industry for more than 10 years. She gained most of her professional experience on construction sites. She created the first Polish conference dedicated to  women in construction sector, called “New Me in Construction”. She holds a license to supervise construction works with no limitations in the field of construction and civil engineering. She was active in the Junior Professionals Committee of the Polish Association of Construction Engineers and Technicians.

What were your first steps in the construction industry and what inspired you to choose this career, which after all is often seen as ‘masculine’?

When finishing my high school education, I hesitated between construction and economics. I couldn’t make up my mind straight away, so I went on a one-year language course in Scotland. On my return, I chose to study construction. I knew from the start that my professional career would be on construction site. It is true that at the time I started my career, among the engineering staff there were more men than women working on construction sites. Most of my female colleagues chose to build their careers in design offices, as cost estimators or in different public offices.

What are the biggest challenges faced by women on construction sites, and do you see any changes over the years?

A few decades ago, women engineers working on construction sites were seen as something extraordinary, and due to their perception in the society their instructions were not taken seriously by the men. The increasing presence of women on construction sites has led to a change in the perception of the engineer. Today, no one is surprised to see a woman in a white helmet on site, but there are occasional cases where construction workers do not accept female supervisors. Although women in the construction industry still face challenges related to stereotypes, limited access to appropriate equipment or lack of professional role models, the situation is slowly improving. Greater commitment from companies and organizations to promote gender equality and access to modern tools are making construction more female-friendly.

How do you see the future of women in construction? Are there any areas that could open up to a greater female presence in the next few years?

Women who care about career development in the construction industry should continually broaden their horizons. Our future in the industry depends on us. Being open-minded and willing to adapt to changing circumstances can guarantee growth and success. Personally I think it is worth taking an interest in sustainable construction and the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence in the coming years.

What initiatives at the educational or management level could contribute to reducing gender disparity in construction?

Building gender balance in construction requires comprehensive initiatives by construction companies, both in terms of education and management. It is useful to organize and encourage girls to participate in technical activities at an early stage of education. Female students should have access to mentoring programs or visits to construction companies where women engineers are an important part of workforce and could share their knowledge and experience. In the case of construction companies, it is important to remember that example always ‘comes from the top’. It is important that decision-makers treat employees equally regardless of gender, and speak openly about equal opportunities for all and turn words into action.

As a female civil engineer, what challenges have you encountered in your career? What were the experiences that influenced your decision to create a support platform for women in the industry? Can you talk about your activities supporting women and the ‘New Me in Construction’ conference?

At the beginning of my career, my supervisors were men who had technical knowledge but no leadership competences. Lack of mentors and the fact that my supervisors reduced my role to dealing with administrative tasks made me feel insufficient. Many times I underestimated my capabilities compared to my male colleagues which often had less experience and little humility. Over time, I gained confidence, but it took far too long.

This is why the idea of creating an industry event for women was born, resulting in the “New Me in Construction” conference. This is the first event of its kind in Poland, which brings together female engineers, designers, managers, economists, installers, lawyers – all women who work hard every day to build the foundations for the investments of future generations. The aim of this conference is to inspire women to take on new professional challenges, share their knowledge and experience, and show possible career paths for women in the construction industry.

What are your future plans for the conference and for supporting women in construction? What next steps would you like to take to further develop this initiative?

Today, I don’t want to make concrete plans. Working in construction has taught me that unfortunately schedules need to be revised frequently, so I am cautious about making predictions. I would like the ‘New Me in Construction’ conference to become a brand identified with the development of professional careers of women in construction not only in Poland, but also abroad.

What would you advise young women who are thinking about choosing a career in construction but have concerns about their future in the industry?

If someone has a lot of concerns, I would advise them to look for another space to grow. If someone is hesitant, I would suggest finding people whose careers and achievements can be an inspiration. I have always enjoyed reading biographies and, more recently, listening to interviews with successful people (not just in the construction industry). Learning about other people’s stories has always given me motivation to work and growth. The future should not be worried about. The future needs to be taken care of. Women have taken matters into their own hands, so I foresee changes for the better in the construction industry.