South Hampshire College Group’s Head of Centre at its Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC) has been shortlisted for a national construction award.
Lauren Curle, Head of Centre at CETC, is recognised in the ‘Allyship Champion of the Year’ category of the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering (IWCE) Awards. The IWCE awards celebrate those making outstanding contributions to gender diversity within their industry, while the ‘Allyship Champion’ category specifically honours individuals who have demonstrated a consistent commitment to improving diverse representation and inclusive workplace practices in the construction industry.
While 66% of young women say they are open to a career in construction, in reality, they currently make up only 15% of the actual workforce. In her role as Head of Centre, Lauren has been determined to challenge this issue and positively open up opportunities to engage new people in the industry. One of the ways she has successfully achieved this is through her work with the annual Women in Construction campaign, with a special CETC event earlier this year showcasing the unique variety of roles in the field and behind the scenes, such as project management, planning, procurement and design. She has also been the operational backbone of the Hampshire iConstruct event, in which CETC has opened its doors to hundreds of students and employers, ensuring they have opportunities to enter the sector regardless of their starting point, background or individual characteristics.
Lauren Curle, Head of Centre at CETC, said: “I feel honoured and grateful to have been shortlisted for the Allyship Champion of the Year award. It’s so good to see the growing number of women in our industry, and I’m proud to play a part representing an organisation that champions inclusion and delivers engaging ways for women to get involved in engineering and construction.”
Anoushka Ottley, Executive Director for Business & Civic Partnerships at South Hampshire College Group, said: “Since taking on the role of Head of Centre at CETC, Lauren has not just maintained high standards, but she has actively transformed the centre’s reputation within the region. She is an exceptional advocate for the next generation, and her impact on the South Hampshire construction landscape is profound. She is exactly the kind of leader we are proud to champion.”
The IWCE Conference & Awards will take place on Wednesday 16 September at London Hilton Park Lane on what will be an evening of celebrating excellence, networking and opportunity. To learn more about the event, please visit the website here.
South Hampshire College Group have hosted an inspirational event to highlight the important contributions of women to the construction industry.
This interactive activity day featured over 50 college staff, industry professionals, and business partners participating in an array of construction tasks that explored the exciting opportunities in construction. Such tasks included bricklaying, block paving, plant machinery, and experimenting with surveying tools, among other sessions, all of which took place at South Hampshire College Group’s Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC). There were also question-and-answer panels featuring women in the industry, offering useful insights from real career stories, as well as plenty of networking throughout the day.
This event was not just a celebration of the construction industry, but also a strong way to mark both International Women’s Day and National Careers Week. Initiatives like this serve to broaden horizons and highlight career opportunities for women everywhere.
Teresa Swann, Senior Economic Development Officer at Eastleigh Borough Council, said: “It’s been a really good day and really insightful realising how hard it actually is. Can’t wait to build a wall next.”
Alice Tappenden, Community Learning Coordinator at South Hampshire College Group, said: “This event is such a great opportunity – it lets you network and get to know people while also doing things you wouldn’t normally do day-to-day. I’ve learned how to lay bricks, build a wall, and use a digger!”
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is celebrated on 08 March every year with 2026 marking 115 years of this awareness day.
National Careers Week is a one-week celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. This dedicated week in March each year develops awareness of future pathways across schools, colleges and universities.
South Hampshire College Group are proud to support women in exploring new career pathways, gaining real-world experience and stepping into sectors where their expertise and skills are needed.
