breaking the mould
Stereotype-defying Alison on taking charge as a woman in construction
Alison Burnett embodies what it means to be a trailblazer in an industry that you might not, at first glance, fit into. Her career is built on determination, encouragement and, most importantly, the ability to learn from others.
Alison, from Derby, is a 38-year-old factory manager at Holcim’s’ Callow Rock Blockworks Factory in Cheddar.
With a degree in civil engineering and having held several roles both in engineering and commercial property, Alison sought a new challenge and wanted to return to the vocation she studied hard for at Plymouth University. So, when Alison saw Holcim’s factory manager job advertisement, she knew it would be a challenging yet rewarding position.
jumping in at the deep end
For many, the first day in a new workplace is an exciting prospect filled with a few nerves. But for Alison, it was terrifying. On her first day four years ago, Alison realised the enormity of the role she had taken on. She was now responsible for the management of 19 men, all of whom possessed more hands-on experience and a lifetime of knowledge.
Alison said: “While I had my engineering background and experience, I’d never managed a team before, let alone 19 men. But I’d undertaken my due diligence with Holcim and knew I would be supported every step of the way.
“Managing an entire team of men from day one was the most daunting aspect of the role, and the first few months certainly weren’t a walk in the park. These people had more knowledge of concrete products than I did, knew the machinery inside out and did their jobs well – and they certainly weren’t looking for change.
“But I’m a real people person and approached this part of the role from the perspective of ‘you do actually know more than me; allow me to further empower you to get jobs done to the best of your ability with the autonomy to make more proactive decisions’.”
Fast-forward three years and Alison believes that, with support from peers and having undergone several internal training programmes, she has “tamed the team” and in fact taken them under her wing.
a rock solid team
The Callow Road factory produces concrete blocks for the construction industry, taking raw materials from the quarry, mixing them together and creating block-pressed pieces of concrete in three different sizes. It’s a busy and noisy factory with machinery running continuously, workers coordinating efficiently and the constant hum of production echoing throughout the facility.
Reflecting on her career so far, Alison said: “Looking back, it’s been quite a journey, but as a team, we’re rock solid. We’ve supported each other along the way and I hope that’s what I’ve been able to nurture. We have mutual respect for our respective strengths and always have open and honest communication.
“We all have a desire to play the best part we can to get our jobs done successfully on a day-to-day basis, with a future focus that allows for open collaboration, ideas and empowerment.”
Alison’s career journey breaks the ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ mould. From that first day, fearing the unknown, Alison became a role model to young women in construction, building a team based on humility and the ability to learn and continue learning.
