Poor Roger Knowles doesn’t come out of your article on women in construction very well. Indeed, I am going to add my own complaint, having been a pile driver for the past 20 years and finding that we are grouped with cowboy builders in Knowles’ considerations.

To extend Knowles’ thoughts, the convenient and simplistic stereotyping of our business as dirty, noisy and frankly off-putting is a great shame. Our business is the first in construction where trade body membership (FPS) is subject to an audit and requires its employees to have a wide range of skills to meet the demands of the business.

The wide range of skills to which I refer is probably why our business appeals to people, including women, as it is interesting, exciting and appreciative of people who make a contribution. It is probably also why our female receptionist here in Ireland has enrolled on an HNC in construction starting this September.

With reference to the article’s final sentence, your female readers don’t have to look too far to find an area of construction where their presence is very welcome and everyone is passionate about what we do.

Angus Carlisle, director, FK Lowry Piling

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