Inspiring the Builders of Tomorrow: Construction For Girls Hosts Inaugural Taster Day at Warrington & Vale Royal College

On Friday 2nd February, Construction For Women proudly hosted its inaugural Construction For Girls Taster Day at Warrington & Vale Royal College – a ground-breaking event designed to inspire the next generation of female talent to consider careers in construction.

The event welcomed over 90, Year-10 students from secondary schools across Cheshire and Warrington to take part in an exciting, hands-on day filled with learning, creativity, and empowerment.

Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

The day began in the college’s newly renovated theatre, where students were introduced to an inspiring employer panel featuring female leaders from across the construction industry. The panel included:

• Renee Preston, CEO of Gallaway Construction and Founder of Construction For Women

• Julie Ferns, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager (Vistry Group)

• Grace Roberts, Estimator (Kimpton).

Through engaging talks and interactive Q&A sessions, these accomplished women shared their personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs — highlighting the incredible variety of career paths available in the built environment. Their message was clear: construction is not just for boys.

Hands-On Learning in State-of-the-Art Facilities

After the panel, students made their way to the college’s Construction & Civil Engineering Academy (CCEA) to experience life in construction first-hand. Here, they rotated through a series of practical workshops, trying their hand at bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, plumbing, electrical installation, and construction design, surveying and planning.

This immersive approach gave the girls a true taste of the industry—showing that construction is not only about hard hats and high-vis jackets, but also about design, innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Celebrating Achievement

Each participant was awarded a Certificate of Participation, personally signed by Construction For Women founder Renee Preston. These certificates serve as a recognition of achievement and a valuable addition to the students’ developing career portfolios.

Attendees also enjoyed a complimentary lunch and parting gifts of CCEA goody bags and delicious cupcakes—another thoughtful touch that made the day extra special.

Partners in Progress

Reflecting on the event, Kerry Dowd, Business Centre Manager at CCEA, shared:

“At Warrington & Vale Royal College, we are committed to encouraging young people to explore the vast array of opportunities available to them within the construction industry. Through our partnership with Construction For Women, we aim to inspire the next generation of female construction professionals, helping young people be the best they can be by providing opportunities to learn more about a career in construction and gain hands-on experience across a range of practical skills.”

Empowering the Next Generation

The Construction For Girls programme is a vital part of Construction For Women’s wider mission to increase gender diversity in the construction industry. By engaging directly with schools and young learners, the initiative provides early exposure to construction careers, helping young women build the confidence, skills, and curiosity needed to thrive in this dynamic field.

As Renee Preston explains, “Reaching girls at this stage of their education is crucial. When they see women leading and succeeding in construction, it opens doors—they begin to believe, ‘I can do that too.’”

Construction For Women is proud to have delivered this inspiring event in partnership with Warrington & Vale Royal College, creating lasting impact and helping to shape the builders—and leaders—of tomorrow.