It was great to see so many women in attendance at the Ground Engineering Awards 2019. In fact, a record number of guests was matched with a record number of women attending, and I was proud to play my part by presenting the Community Engagement Award.
The Community Engagement Award is a new category for projects with a strong geotechnical focus that has gone beyond the expected standard to engage with the community where the scheme is being delivered. Entrants to this award had to demonstrate the steps taken and initiative to deliver community-based benefits or local stakeholder engagement through the work they performed.
Unlike other award this category also recognises the lasting benefit created in the local community and legacy of the project resulting from a high level of community engagement which goes beyond delivering the engineering aspects of the scheme.
I was pleased to present the award to MMC Gamuda KVMRT for their work on Klang Valley Sungai Buloh-Kajang Mass Rapid Transit Line, which involves the construction of seven underground stations, eight ancillary structures and a 9.5km long twin tunnel.
I am passionate about diversity in construction – not just women, but gender/ages/ethnicity etc., and with this International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) – 23rd June 2019 – Jooce, through its construction client base, has been supporting the event by encouraging them to get involved through their own supporting campaigns.
However, whilst the construction industry has come a long way, there is still more to be done to encourage women into the industry, such as flexible working hours and understanding childcare issues.
I personally am looking forward to a future when women in construction is the norm and not the unusual.