Having just completed the University’s Construction Management FdSc course and moving onto the Construction Management (Top up) BSc (Hons) course in September, Jade will be filling the summer gap by working as an Assistant Project Manager on the Lu2on project.

The project’s first phase, named Lu2on Union, is a new-build residential development in the Vauxhall Factory area of Luton and, when completed, will include over 400 apartments, five retail units, a gym and a number of other facilities.

Jade will be joining JJ Rhatigan, the main contractor of this £61m construction project, as an Assistant Project Manager for just over two months. Jade’s interest in this discipline was born after she
helped out with the surveying and administration at her brother’s roofing and construction business, and this new placement presents an outstanding opportunity for Jade.

She said: “I am so grateful for the opportunity I have been given on the Lu2on project and am excited to put the knowledge I have learnt from my degree into practice.

“I hope to gain some valuable on-site experience and learn more about the management systems used during my placement.”

International Women in Engineering Day celebrates the amazing work that women engineers around the world are doing. One of two University of Bedfordshire students offered
work with construction business, JJ Rhatigan, Jade hopes placements like this signifies a move away from outdated misconceptions about women in the industry. She continued:

“Whilst I believe there are more construction and engineering companies employing women, I definitely think there needs to be more opportunities and more encouragement for women who want to work in the industry.

“I hope that the construction industry moves forward from the misconceptions associated with different job roles as more women choose construction/engineering as a career choice.

“My future aspirations are to work my way up from Assistant level to a Project Manager within the next five years.”

Angelica Palmar, Document Control and Design Assistant with JJ Rhatigan, has been working in the construction industry for the last seven years. Angelica believes that while it is still a male-dominated industry, opportunities are improving for women in construction and building engineering.

She said: “Encouraging diversity is very important, as it helps to reduce skills gaps and create a more gender-equal work force.

“The number of women in construction is improving and I am glad to see women in all aspects of the industry within my team, from architects to electricians and quantity surveyors. With so many different roles in any one project, there are lots of ways women can make their mark.

“In that respect, placements are brilliant, offering women from any social background the opportunity to grow professionally and become more independent financially.

“For Jade, this summer placement is a great opportunity. With exposure to on-site construction, I hope she can find out what she really likes and enjoys about the discipline. It can be challenging, but it is also filled with chances to learn and develop as a professional.”

Dr James Bishop, Senior Lecturer in Construction Management and Building Technology at the University of Bedfordshire, added: “Working in construction offers a wealth of exciting opportunities for our graduates.

“Encouraging and supporting greater diversity across the industry is a central focus for us in providing these opportunities to a broad range of students. I am really pleased that Jade has secured her placement with JJ Rhatigan, and I’m sure that this will be an important step in her career as a construction professional.”

For information about how you can apply for construction and engineering courses at the University of Bedfordshire, visit: www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/departments/computing/courses/