Former nursery nurse makes history in construction industry

A former nursery nurse who swapped the playroom for the builders’ yard has become the first person in the country to achieve a ground-breaking new construction qualification.

Rachel Howarth, 25, has made history after achieving an NVQ Level 3 in External Wall Insulation at Salford City College – a skill that is designed to make homes more energy efficient.

Rachel, from Lower Broughton in Salford, is one of very few women working in the construction industry after starting out as a plastering apprentice three years ago with Oldham-based building and refurbishment company Emanuel Whittaker.

Rachel, who grew up in Bury, originally trained in childcare, but decided on a career change after being made redundant from her job as a nursery nurse, but she’s more than happy to be the only girl in the builders’ yard.

She said: “My granddad was a plasterer and I was always into DIY growing up. I only went into childcare because I didn’t know what to do when I left school, but it wasn’t for me so after I was made redundant I took the first opportunity that came up and did a course in plastering and it just went from there.

“When I first started the lads would say ‘let me carry that for you’, but I’d just say to them ‘I’m stronger than you, I’ll carry two while you carry one’. You soon settle in and end up being one of the lads with all the laughing and banter – I love it. I’d say to girls who are thinking about getting into the construction industry to just go for it.”

Salix Homes worked alongside Emanuel Whittaker, and north west regeneration consortium Procure Plus to develop the new external wall insulation qualification in response to a skills gap in the industry and Rachel was one of the first people in the UK to sign up last year.

She has been honing her skills at Salix Homes’ multi-million pound improvement projects on tower blocks across Salford, including Floral Court in Broughton and Riverbank and Newbank Towers in Greengate.

Rachel added: “It’s great to be the first to qualify with a skill that will continue to be very much in demand as the need for higher level insulation qualifications in the construction sector continues to grow. I hope other students will follow in my footsteps as the drive to make all homes more energy efficient continues.”

The qualification is an advanced apprenticeship that will provide construction apprentices with the skills needed to keep homes warm – something that is currently lacking in the UK building industry.

Mark Foster, head of investment at Salix Homes, added: “Salix Homes worked with partners to launch this new qualification and generate a workforce of home-grown talent who could deliver this specialist skill and we’re very proud that Rachel is the first to qualify.

She is a fantastic role model and a real ambassador for women in the construction industry.”

Lee Bradbury, Health, Safety and Environment Manager for Emanuel Whittaker said: “It’s no surprise that Rachel has become the first to qualify. Throughout her career with us she has been keen to develop and learn new skills. As an external wall insulation installer she is a great asset to the company and has firmly secured her future construction career.”