As part of our focus on Women in Construction Week 2025, Poppy Whittle, Technical Trainee at MCI Developments, a subsidiary of top ten housebuilder Keepmoat, discusses her experience within the industry and what it’s like to be a woman working in construction.
My career in construction began three years ago when I joined the MCI team as Technical and Land Administrator. I was 16 at the time and I’d previously been unsure what career path to take, but after researching the construction industry and discovering MCI, everything seemed to fall into place.
When I first stepped into the construction industry at such a young age I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew that the industry has long been a male-dominated field, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be working with many other women. I really have grown to love this industry!
I’m now 19 years old and I have progressed to Technical Trainee. It’s been hard work but it’s also been so rewarding. My journey has been a real mix of hands-on learning and more traditional education. When I joined, I attended college one day a week to complete my ONC in Civil Engineering, knowing that gaining technical knowledge would be crucial to my success. Hard work and dedication is key within construction. I have always made sure to get stuck in and involved. Balancing work and study was challenging at times, but the support I received from my tutors, colleagues, and family made all the difference.
One of the things I love about my role is the variety it offers, no two days are ever the same. Some days, I’m in meetings, taking notes, and absorbing knowledge from engineers, consultants, and site teams. Other days, I take a more hands-on approach, contributing to technical processes that help bring housing developments to life. There’s nothing quite like seeing a completed home and knowing that I played a part in making it a reality, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience.
That said, I can’t overlook the challenges that women still face in this industry. While progress is happening, women especially in leadership roles remain underrepresented.
However, at MCI Developments and across Keepmoat, I have worked alongside many inspiring women in leadership positions across various disciplines, including technical, construction, land, and HR. I have also had the privilege to mentor a young woman completing her work experience at MCI through the Women into Construction initiative.
By sharing my own journey and working with her, I hope to show her and other women within the industry that construction isn’t just for men. It’s a career that is both rewarding and meaningful. Mentoring has also been a valuable experience for me. It has helped me develop leadership skills, build confidence, and reflect on how much I’ve grown since I first started in the field.
MCI has supported me in developing my knowledge and skills. I’ve completed an asbestos training course, and legal documentation training, and I’m now working toward my HNC in Civil Engineering – which is equivalent to the first year of a university degree.
I’m excited for what’s ahead in my construction career. I look forward to strengthening my leadership skills and supporting more women as they step into the industry.
MCI Developments is a North-West-based developer working with registered partners and local authorities to provide quality new homes. To find out more, visit: www.mcidevelopments.com/home.
(Picture credit: Shaun Flannery/shaunflanneryphotography.com)