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We recently sat down with Kirstein Forrest, a pioneer in the field of construction and a passionate advocate for women in traditionally male-dominated sectors, to delve into her groundbreaking efforts in advancing women's participation in construction. With 20 years of experience as a Quantity Surveyor, we asked Kirstein to reflect on her experience.  “When I was looking at university courses, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I enjoyed maths, geography, and graphic design and had an interest in architecture so I was keen to see if I could combine my interests and skills into a potential career. I went to a careers event, and after finding out more about the role, Quantity Surveying seemed like the natural choice. “I studied a four-year course, with the second focused on gaining industry experience through a work experience placement at Kier. This really cemented my understanding of the role and reaffirmed I had made the right choice.” Bringing her extensive experience with her, Kirstein joined the Places for People team in 2016, where she oversees a variety of residential and mixed-use projects.   “Working at Places for People, it’s about more than just building houses. Everything we do is rooted in developing Communities and providing a wide range of homes suitable to a variety of people and families. As a Social Enterprise, the company’s ethos is all about driving social value and that is reflected as our profits are reinvested into delivering affordable housing.” On those considering a career in construction, Kirstein explains: “There is currently an overall skill shortage in the construction sector, particularly under 35s, and this means that there is huge potential for anyone looking for opportunities to progress. While the industry is still male dominated, I don’t think anyone should be put off because of their gender.   “Places for People is an incredibly inclusive place to work, and I think it is fantastic that we look to promote the benefits of construction roles to a diverse group of people.” We recently partnered with Women into Construction CIC as part of a commitment to establishing an inclusive workforce. You can learn more about Kirstein’s journey here: https://lnkd.in/eQXSSn2g #BecauseCommunityMatters #WeAreCommunity #WomenIntoConstruction

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Great stuff Kirstein.

Kevin McIntosh

Head Of Commercial, Places for People Group

3mo

Nice one Kirstein. You are a great role model for anyone looking to have a successful career in construction.

Alexandra G.

Senior People Business Partner | Certified EQi 2.0

3mo

Well done Kirstein. Your story is inspiring for others. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Willie Lockhart FCIOB MAPM

Group Operations Director, Developments - Experienced senior industry professional, passionate leader, learner, mentor and ally.

2mo

Great article Kirstein Forrest, you are a shining example of all that is good in our industry. Its great to see strong women leading the way.

Great article Kirstein 👏

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