A SOLIHULL apprentice who followed her dream job into construction has been flying the flag for women in the industry.
Santina Bunting made a decision at 16 which she describes as ‘exciting and daunting’.
Instead of following her fellow students at an all-girls grammar school into A-Levels and university she chose to take on a Level 3 Civil Engineering apprenticeship.
As part of Women in Construction Week, which runs from March 1 to 7 the 20-year-old has shared her experiences from getting hands-on experiences on sites for national projects to speaking in the House of Lords and appearing in the Association of Colleges’ Further Education Hall of Fame.
She said: “When I started I didn’t see many role models in construction, particularly women. However, that didn’t deter me. Driven by curiosity and determination, I trusted my instincts and chose the path that felt right for me.”
She is now working for Arup while completing a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Warwick which combines academic study with hands-on experience.
Santina said: “Traditionally, engineering has been seen as highly technical and often inaccessible, which can make young women feel like they might not belong. I’ve made it a personal mission to challenge that narrative.
“And one of the biggest barriers we still face in the industry is perception what a civil engineer “should” look like, sound like, or act like. Many people still picture hard hats and construction sites, without recognising the diversity of roles and personalities within the sector.
“But by building a strong professional presence on LinkedIn and openly sharing my journey as a young female apprentice, I’ve worked to humanise the profession. I speak about site visits (the cold and the delays too), leadership meetings, policy discussions, career milestones, and learning curves not just achievements. My content has generated over one million impressions in the past year, but more importantly, it has allowed young women to see themselves reflected in the industry. Because if you can see it, you can believe it.
“Championing women in construction means being the representation I wish I had at 16. It means showing young women that there is no single “right” route into this industry and that they belong here just as much as anyone else.
“Flying the flag and putting myself forward has opened unexpected doors. I’ve spoken at the House of Lords, attended 10 Downing Street for International Women’s Day, been ranked #6 in the UK on the Powerlist’s Future Leaders list, and featured in the Department for Education’s nationwide Skills for Life campaign.”
She is also a member on the Solihull Skills and Employment Board where she offers thoughts on national discussions around apprenticeship reform and has returned to her all-girls school to speak about her journey from there.
Santina added: “Women in Construction Week is a reminder that there is space for us in every part of this industry.
“As I whole heartedly believe with confidence, curiosity, and a can-do attitude, women can not only enter construction they can lead it and thrive.”
Search Skills for Life to find more information on apprenticeships, T Levels and other technical pathways available here.
