Author: michellecoates

We were delighted to be a Gold Sponsor of this years Construction Industry Federation International Women’s Day summit.

The event provided great insight with topics such as infrastructure, financial independence, pioneers in safety and building heroes discussed. Susan McGarry’s moving keynote address highlighted her remarkable journey of resilience leaving the audience in awe.

We were proud to have Sinead Gaines, our Regional EHS Manager, take part in the Pioneers in Safety panel, sharing insights on women’s leadership in health and safety. This again really reinforcing the importance of diversity in the industry.

Ava Foley, a student from TU Dublin, is currently on a placement at PJ Hegarty’s, is working towards achieving Platinum LEED certification for a site alongside a Senior Engineer. Her passion for sustainability and the environment, sparked during her college years, led her to pursue Environmental Management, and now she’s gaining hands-on experience as part of women in construction.  

“I never intended to go into construction, but my love for environmental issues pulled me in,” Ava shares. “Working on site has given me valuable knowledge that I can apply to both my studies and my future career.” 

Reflecting on her experience, Ava encourages others to explore careers in construction: “The industry offers great opportunities for growth and collaboration, and it’s inspiring to see women in senior roles.” She also adds, “I’ve learned so much from working alongside such a supportive team. Everyone is really invested in helping me develop and grow.” Ava’s journey highlights the importance of diversity and how different perspectives are shaping the future for women in construction. 

Empowering Women in Health and Safety, Ciara Nolan, an Environmental, Health, and Safety Coordinator (EHS) at PJ Hegarty, is committed to mentorship and creating a supportive work environment. Having worked with the company for seven years, she thrives in the dynamic and family-oriented culture. “The culture on a PJ Hegarty site is family orientated,” she shares, emphasising the importance of community and looking out for one another when working in construction.

Her journey into health and safety wasn’t straightforward, but her experiences have strengthened her passion for Empowering Women in Health and Safety. Ciara is a member of PJ Hegarty’s Empowering Women in Construction group, driven by her belief in leadership through education. “It’s important to share my experiences as a woman in the construction industry to make roles in health and safety more visible,” she says.

Through mentorship and advocacy, Ciara is paving the way for women to embrace opportunities in the industry, encouraging them to “embrace every opportunity, to learn and grow and don’t be afraid to break stereotypes.”

Genevieve Rose, HR Business Partner at PJ Hegarty in our southern office, is passionate about establishing an inclusive workplace in construction, a supportive and inclusive environment for all employees, in particular women in the industry. With a focus on connections, Genevieve provides HR support for directors, managers, and employees, whether in the office or on-site. “I’m just a place for people to come when they need to vent,” she shares, emphasising the personal touch to her HR role.

Genevieve’s experience as a woman in the construction industry has been overwhelmingly positive, surrounded by a culture of respect and collaboration. “I knew these are the people for me,” she says, reflecting on her welcoming experience at PJ Hegarty. “We build buildings, but it’s the relationships and the people who are doing it and forming the teams with that makes the difference.” she concludes, stressing the vital role relationships play in shaping the industry’s future and continue to build a inclusive workplace in construction.

Building a Career in Construction, Lauren Walsh, a Design Coordinator at PJ Hegarty, shares her inspiring journey from studying architecture to working in construction. After working with a main contractor as a project manager, she quickly fell in love with the dynamic, hands-on nature of the industry.

As a Design Coordinator, Lauren’s role is to ensure coordination between design teams, contractors, and site workers. She emphasises the importance of collaboration and attention to detail in creating successful projects.

Reflecting on her experience as a woman in construction, Lauren encourages others to pursue careers in the field: “As a woman, you can bring a completely different perspective to a job or problem-solving.” She adds, “The only bad questions are the ones that you don’t ask.” Lauren highlights the value of continuous learning and the opportunity to contribute to different projects. Building a Career in Construction offers a wealth of opportunity for women to make a significant impact and being part of a company that is so passionate about collaboration, your gender is less important and more about what you can offer.