As the Construction Industry Foundation celebrates 90 years, they have put the spotlight on women shaping Ireland’s built environment. From sites to offices, their careers reflect the evolving construction industry and the vast opportunities it offers.

Giedre Visockaite, Kirby EHS & Sustainability Director, shares her thoughts on the industry approach to diversity and the future of construction.

What do you love most about working in construction, and what keeps you motivated every day?

What I love most about working in construction is the opportunity to innovate and adapt to evolving challenges to meet real needs. I joined the industry over 13 years ago and its dynamic nature always keeps it exciting because there is always something new to learn.

I thrive on challenges, making this the perfect career for me. Being part of the Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) team is a privilege, especially as my employer Kirby Group Engineering has always been a strong advocate for putting people and their safety first. Leading a dedicated, diverse team representing 24 nationalities and 34% female participation is something I take great pride in.

Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of your impact on a project or team?

One of my proudest moments was successfully implementing Zero Harm safety program across all our operations. This achievement reflects the dedication of our EHS and Operations teams, and everyone’s commitment to our core values of People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Value.

Reaching this milestone took a lot of effort and would not have been possible without the full support of senior leadership. There is a clear recognition that engaged, well-informed, and empowered workforce will continue to drive the initiative forward.

What’s truly rewarding is knowing that our efforts in EHS are making a real difference – ensuring that 3,600 employees and supply chain workers across eight countries return home safely every day.

How have you seen the construction industry change to become more inclusive and supportive of women?

Over the years, I have seen a significant shift in the construction industry’s approach to diversity, with growing recognition of the importance of a balanced workforce. Many companies in engineering and construction space have introduced targeted programs to increase female representation, demonstrating real commitment to change.

At Kirby, we actively engage with students at second and third level to promote career opportunities in construction. We’re now in the third year of our highly successful female bursary program for final-year engineering students, which has been a great step forward in encouraging more women into the field.

The key to meaningful progress is leadership support, and I’m proud to say that at Kirby, there is strong backing for initiatives that inspire young women to see construction as an exciting and rewarding career path.

What excites you about the future of construction, and how do you see women shaping the industry?

Construction has a vibrant future, with multiple paths of innovation driving the industry forward. We all play a key role in shaping this progress, continually evolving alongside new technologies and industry advancements. This creates a platform for continuous learning and teaching, creating plenty of opportunities and making it a very exciting time to be part of the field.

EHS is also well-positioned to lead the way in promoting gender balance and diversity, as it relies on a broad range of transferable skills that make it an accessible and rewarding career path for women. A more diverse workforce will be essential to securing the industry’s future, and with our EHS team already achieving 34% female representation, we’re proud to be setting an example. Additionally, our company’s Platinum accreditation from Investors in People (IIP) and the Investors in Diversity Silver award in 2023 highlight our ongoing commitment to promoting an inclusive and forward-thinking workplace.

Read the full article at https://cif.ie/women-in-construction/.