Shaping the Future: Construction For Girls Taster Day at Stockport College

Construction For Women’s early talent programme, Construction For Girls, continues its mission to inspire and empower the next generation — this time with an exciting taster day at Stockport College.

The event brought together 90 students from schools across Trafford and Stockport, each eager to discover how their creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills could shape a future in the construction industry.

Inspiration to Action

The day began with an engaging talk from Renee Preston, Founder of Construction For Women and CEO of Gallaway Construction. Sharing her journey from apprentice to business leader, Renee opened the students’ eyes to the scope and diversity of careers in construction — from design and engineering to management, sustainability, and innovation.

Her presentation encouraged the girls to see construction not as a single trade, but as a vibrant ecosystem of roles where collaboration and creativity drive real-world impact.

Hands-On Discovery

Following the morning session, the students explored Stockport College’s outstanding workshops, taking part in electrical, plumbing, interior design, carpentry & joinery, plastering, bricklaying, and project management activities.

These practical sessions gave the girls a genuine taste of the skills and teamwork that underpin the construction industry — and demonstrated how different disciplines come together to turn ideas into reality.

Celebrating Progress

To mark their participation, each student received a Certificate of Achievement, personally signed by Renee Preston. The certificates contribute to their career development portfolios and offer a valuable talking point for future applications or interviews.

Creating Space for Change

Speaking about the event, Renee said:

“When young women see construction up close, their perspective changes. They realise it’s about design, innovation, leadership — and that there’s a place for them in every part of it. That’s where the change begins.”

The Construction For Girls initiative remains at the heart of Construction For Women’s goal to increase gender diversity in the construction sector. By partnering with colleges and communities, the programme helps young women recognise their potential and take confident steps toward shaping the built environment of the future.