Meet Andrea Sutcliffe - Senior quantity surveyor
Andrea has been with VolkerRail for just over three years, and has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, and a vast wealth of knowledge in quantity surveying.
Working in our Power division, Andrea plays a vital part in forecasting our projects to ensure they stick to budget, whilst helping to train and mentor the next generation of quantity surveyors.
How did you get into the construction industry?
It all began when I started working on sites with my dad, a civil engineer who undertook a lot of concrete reinforcement projects. From there I undertook a degree in quantity surveying, and the rest is history.
Do you think women can work in construction?
Yes. I have - successfully - for 25 years. Gender doesn’t, and shouldn’t come into play. Yes, I am a woman, but I do the same job as my counterparts. We are all people, just building our careers.
Do you think the rail industry is inclusive?
Although this is my first role in the rail industry, I’ve never worked with as many women before.
There’s a lot more female presence at VolkerRail, and within the rail industry as a whole, compared to my past experiences.
At previous jobs, most frequently, I was the only woman in meetings, but I don’t see this today. There is definitely more diversity, and I continue to see more women entering the sector, not just within VolkerRail, which is great.
How do you find going out on-site?
I must admit, When I first started working in construction, it wasn’t great, and I had some tough experiences - I was seen as the ‘tea maker’. Today, things have changed, and we are seeing progression. I feel a lot more accepted as a female in the industry.
What is your proudest moment?
It has to be when I achieved my degree, which took five years to complete. Some take a degree for granted, but I never did. I was really proud of myself, as I was not only juggling full-time work, but I was a mature student, so it was challenging to adjust back into a learning environment.
Would you recommend more women to consider a career in quantity surveying?
Yes definitely, it’s an extremely good job, and also very rewarding. Quantity surveying has so much variation to it, and every day is different.
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