As part of the #NotJustForBoys project, the WomenTec Education and Training charity challenges assumptions about male-dominated occupations such as construction, woodworking and plumbing and offers girls and young women proof of their abilities as equals.
Project ambassador Annie Crozier shows what can be achieved. 22-year-old Magravelt was crowned in 2021 as a Construction Employers Association Trainee to work with construction company Heron Bros.
It now supports the work of WomenTec – Northern Ireland’s largest provider of non-traditional skills training for women – and helps identify young women and girls with access to education, training and career paths.
(Image: Introduction)
“When I left school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” he said. “I went to Australia for a year and when I was there I applied for an internship at Heron Bros.. and luckily I succeeded.”
Annie says her school and career advice—and most of her friends—was geared toward college and that she would never consider civil engineering or any industrial career a viable option.
Nevertheless, he had the support of his parents: his father was a construction contractor and his mother gave him the motivation he needed. “It was my mom who saw on Twitter that the Heron Brothers had an apprenticeship in civil engineering,” he says. “I looked and thought this might be what I wanted to do.
“Without my parents, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now. They didn’t push me to go to university, they were glad I’d see a small world, take the time and figure out what I want to do.
“God knows what I’d do now if I didn’t, so I’m really grateful.”
Al-Ani firmly believes: “It was hard to see what you cannot see.” This has always been an issue in the industry hence WomenTec works tirelessly and knows girls and young women as role models in the industry.
In Annie’s case, her stay in Australia also opened her eyes, seeing for the first time what she hadn’t seen at home: women on construction sites:
“I’ve never seen a woman on the site [here]But I remember seeing some of them while I was in Australia and thinking, ‘This is something that can be done’.
Annie describes herself as a “practical student” who loves “learning by doing”. Since his internship consisted of four days of study a week at work and one in college, it’s easy to see why this was an attractive prospect for him.
“It’s ongoing support and mostly you get paid to study, but they also gain experience, which makes you more employable,” he says.
“You graduate with a degree and experience, but those who have just graduated will not get the same amount as you.”
Starting a career in civil engineering presented some challenges, one of which was the fact that Annie was the only apprentice.
(Image: Introduction)
“It was a little shocking, but everyone was so supportive of both the company and the college, and I couldn’t ask for more,” he says.
Now that Annie is nearing the end of her studies, she can’t wait to make her way into the industry full time, armed with all she’s learned and experience and full of enthusiasm for where her burgeoning career will take her.
“I love how every day is a school day,” he says. “I love its versatility and the problem-solving aspect of it: you never know what you’re going to face.
“I love being outside, standing up and doing things, so I’m definitely going the right way.”
Ona McCabe, WomenTec Project #NotJustForBoys Director added: “The story of language is so powerful that it shows that with the right support you can achieve everything.
“We need more prominent female models in the industry so that our young women see that careers are achievable in male-dominated industries.
“We enthusiastically support our mentors and role models so that they can pave the way for the next generation. We look forward to Annie being an active member of Women’sTech and all she has to offer attendees.”
Learn more about Women’sTec and the #NotJustForBoys campaign at womenstec.org and notjustforboys.org
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Source: Belfastlive
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