Construction is stereotypically seen as a man’s world, but times are changing with women taking senior positions within the industry, and Women in Construction Week has been the perfect opportunity to highlight the progress that is being made. Louise Morrey, is a stellar example of the changing face of construction, serving as Project Manager for a number of Capital Projects going on across both campuses of Stoke-on-Trent College.
To date, Louise has overseen the construction of a brand-new, industry standard Health & Social Care Ward and a state-of the art Broadcast Media Suite at the Cauldon campus. In addition, Louise has also overseen the construction of the Advanced Construction Centre at the Burslem campus, part of the College’s Construction Skills Hub. These new facilities have allowed the College to provide sector leading advanced and digital construction facilities for students in the City – helping them to gain the skills they need to meet the both current and future skill demands in the region.
While this may feel like enough projects to last a lifetime, Louise and the college are not resting on their laurels, with both campuses now having active building locations, with impressive new developments.
Just this past week, concrete floors have been poured at the Cauldon campus new Connect building which will sit adjacent the Digital & Creative Hub, bringing the college closer to the community of Stoke-on-Trent. With foundations laid around a towering steel frame, this project is set to open for students during the 2025/26 academic year.
Meanwhile at Burslem, a three-storey development is being built towards the front of the campus, with excavations and cranes full of steel expected in the coming weeks.
During Women in Construction Week plus National Careers Week, Louise spoke about her humble beginnings, her passion for construction and architecture plus her advice for the women construction workers of tomorrow.
Build it yourself
Louise’s journey into construction began in an unorthodox way, as she found her passion after deciding on a personal project to build her own house!
After moving back to Stoke-on-Trent, having worked at Birmingham Airport, Louise and her husband began working on the house restoration project.
The seeds for her career may have been laid early, as she recalled living in a number of different houses that required construction and maintenance work during her childhood.
“We bought older houses which sometimes required a bit of work,” Louise said.
“I’ve also got family members who are joiners, electricians and plumbers – so maybe I was meant to work in construction.”
She had previously worked in another male-dominated space, Freight, but with a natural fascination for construction and architecture, the house building project gave her a jumping off point into the world of construction.
“The housing project made me do a lot of research and teach myself about building, architecture and everything that goes into making projects happen. Being on a live site was also invaluable, as you really see first-hand everything that needs to happen to make the project a reality,” Louise explained.
From the house build project, Louise worked with a local builder and across an 18-year stint she progressed from assisting in the office to Project Manager. The role included preparing and submitting planning documents to local authorities, tender submissions as well as managing site procurement and staffing from start to finish of the build. The company worked with both private clients and housing associations, giving Louise varied experience.
Amongst Louise’s qualifications she has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, something she has found very useful in the construction field.
“You deal with a lot of people at a lot of different levels, and when you get into on-site work, you know there has been at least 6 months behind the scenes to make this happen. This requires a lot of meetings with contractors and architects, and my Psychology degree has helped me deal with many different people from different backgrounds, she explained.
Being a Woman in Construction
“You have to have quite broad shoulders but if you are capable and understand other people, you’re prepared to listen and learn; it can be a really rewarding sector to work in,” Louise said of working in construction.
Women are still underrepresented within the construction industry (ONS stats in June 2023 stated 15.8% of construction workforces are female), but Louise feels that more opportunities are becoming available and the move towards a more balanced workforce has shifted.
She points to sometimes attending project meetings where she is the only female in the room, but given her experience and pedigree there is no discrimination from male co-workers.
“It’s really important for women to feel they can command senior positions in construction and other sectors. They will show they are just as capable as their male counterparts. While you do have to prove yourself to a certain degree, if you stand your ground, you will earn the respect of your peers, male and female.
“In project management, it’s about reaching the same goal together.”
Being a Project Manager
The role of Project Manager for Capital Projects is widespread, and if Louise is asked, she highlights the breadth of areas she needs to oversee to bring projects to life.
“Working at the college specifically, I will often talk about the new buildings, but also the refurbishments we have done with areas like the Broadcast Media Suite and, more recently, the Hair & Beauty studios,” Louise said.
“Getting the Health & Social Ward and Broadcast Media Suite completed have both been highlights for me. To see those completed and know what amazing facilities they are and I played a role in making them happen makes me extremely proud,” Louise said.
From construction to college
The transition from construction to the world of Further Education, has excuse the pun, been a learning curve for Louise.
“I had always worked quite independently in the past, but coming into the college I became part of this massive network plus the thousands of students who study with us every year. Because you are working in the public sector, you are funded by public funding which you are acutely aware of when undertaking these capital projects,” she said.
“I’m massively proud to work at Stoke on Trent College, it’s great to think I’m contributing to the future of the college with the new buildings and refurbishments. For students to have the best facilities, will mean they can achieve their full potential.”
Future female leaders of construction
“If you have an interest in construction, and want to know more about how buildings are created and everything that comes with it – go for it!
“Don’t let being female hold you back, it’s part of learning and progression and creating your own future.”
Find out more about Construction courses at Stoke on Trent College here – https://stokecoll.ac.uk/course-areas/construction-building-services/.