Assistant Site Manager shares her advice for women entering the exciting world of construction

Local housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter is celebrating Women in Construction Week from the 4th to the 10th of March. 

The week will be dedicated to showcasing top female team members across the region and to encouraging more women to join the industry.

Office for National Statistics data reveals that currently only 15.8% of the construction workforce in the UK is represented by women, but that proportion has been increasing in recent years. 

This year, Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter proudly shines a spotlight on the journey of one of its own, Nadia Connabeer Mitchell, Assistant Site Manager at their Treledan development in Saltash, Cornwall.

At just thirty years old, but with an impressive thirteen years in the construction industry, Nadia exemplifies the dedication, passion, and invaluable contributions women bring to the sector.

Reflecting on her journey into the industry, Nadia shared, "My path into construction began at college, where I pursued furniture making and bench joinery. But I always had an ambition to build my own home.”

After being headhunted to be a mentor for construction apprentices, some of whom were aspiring Site Managers, she realised she wanted to get into the homebuilding industry herself, “I initially joined a small contractor, on a site of fifty homes. This kickstarted my passion for housebuilding, then 18 months ago I joined Barratt Homes. I’ve now spent just over a year at Treledan, where we’re building almost three hundred homes, and it has been so rewarding.”

Her long-term aspirations include becoming a Site Manager and delving into sustainability, especially modern methods of construction focused on timber frame, low energy, and environmentally friendly houses. And she still dreams of one day building a home of her own using all the skills she has learned along the way. 

Addressing perceptions of gender in the industry, she says, "People are sometimes surprised to see me building homes on-site at Treledan as a woman. But with my practical background, and by being up front and honest with my team, I've earned their respect. I’d love to see more women in construction, but I’d like to see more diversity in the industry in general. I truly believe diversity of thought gets better team outcomes."

When asked about Barratt Homes' support in her career development, she expressed gratitude for her supportive team. Her advice to women entering the construction field is simple yet profound: "Don't let anybody get in your way. Keep asking questions, and remember, there are many paths you can take into a career in construction."

Nicki Reid, sales director at Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter, added: "Being the nation's leading volume housebuilder, we consider it our duty to motivate and support more women to pursue careers in homebuilding. My own experience in this field has been incredibly rewarding, and we are dedicated to welcoming more women into our industry, challenging its traditional stereotypes."

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are currently building much-needed new homes in Cornwall, at Treledan in Saltash. Wherever you are in your new home journey, Barratt Homes is here to support you and offers a range of schemes including Part Exchange Guarantee and the Key Worker Deposit Contribution Scheme.