‘Coming into construction has been lifesaving’

Struthers-Frost explains that she has struggled with her mental health, which led to a period of homelessness.

“I actually applied for my apprenticeship while I was living in temporary accommodation,” she tells CIOB People.

“Coming into the construction industry has been such a journey.” She pauses, before adding: “Really, it has been lifesaving.

“My journey and my experiences drive my passion for helping others and encouraging them to start an apprenticeship and join the construction industry.”

Engineering game-changer

Struthers-Frost admits that she was not interested in pursuing a career in the industry when she was at college. Instead, she wanted to study physics.

However, she was unable to secure a place on the course without an A in the subject at GSCE level.

“They suggested I should try engineering instead. At first, I thought ‘no way’, but after a while I came round to the idea,” she says.

“I did engineering alongside my other A levels. By the end of the first year, I wanted to do engineering full time. I just loved it so much.”

Noticing her passion for engineering, Struthers-Frost’s tutor suggested she should pursue a career in quantity surveying.

She laughs: “At the time, I didn’t agree. I thought ‘adults know nothing’.”

However, after a year of doing a few odd jobs, she knew it was time to focus on her long-term career.

“I thought back to my engineering teacher and I looked into an engineering degree. Unfortunately, I’d missed the application deadline,” she explains.

“I didn’t want to wait another year, so I did some research and found an apprenticeship in quantity surveying.

“Honestly, I didn’t really know what an apprenticeship was. But I applied for it through Bam, and the rest is history.”

Helping other apprentices

Struthers-Frost adds that her initial lack of awareness of both quantity surveying and apprenticeships has influenced her aspiration to help other young people understand the opportunities that are available.

“I had the typical view of construction as just bricks and mortar. I had no idea that there were so many varied roles and disciplines,” she says.

“I want to help inspire and support young people into the industry, because there is often a complete lack of awareness.

“People are slowly becoming more aware of apprenticeships, but we need to do more.”

Despite her positivity and passion for the industry, Struthers-Frost explains that personal adversities have triggered challenges in her career journey.

“I have struggled with my mental health, so I have felt like I don’t fit in,” she says.

“Especially as a young woman in the construction industry – I often stand out like a sore thumb. Then being homeless, I felt like I wasn’t good enough. I guess it was imposter syndrome.

“However, I have come to realise that part of the reason the construction industry is so fantastic is that regardless of your background, if you are willing to put in the work, you will get rewarded.

“Instead of trying to compare myself to others, I now understand that everyone has got history. But in construction, it doesn’t matter where you come from. There are so many opportunities for everyone to thrive.”

Mental health first aider

Tapping into her own experience, Struthers-Frost has trained to become a mental health first aider.

“It’s all about giving back. If I can help others, then that’s what I want to do,” she says.

“I’m also a wellbeing champion, which is all about giving people a safe space to talk. It’s great because people can speak to colleagues confidentially.

“The construction industry is renowned for poor mental health. I think wellbeing champions can help to remove a bit of that stigma and help people realise that it is okay to talk.”

She insists that addressing stigma around mental health requires cultural change in the industry, which has to “come from the top”.

“We look to senior leadership for reassurance and guidance. I have always found that when a leader opens up about the challenges they are facing – which can be a very difficult thing to do – I then feel it is a safe space for me to talk and relate to them.

“Encouraging everyone to talk a bit more can really help to stop people feeling like there’s a taboo or that they are the odd one out.”

Standing out from the crowd

While Struthers-Frost may have lamented standing out from the crowd when she joined the industry, it is undeniable that her unique experience and personal challenges have helped shaped her success at an early stage of her career.

Last year, she was a finalist in the Rising Star category of the CIOB Awards, and then shortlisted at the Women of the Future Awards.

She describes being shortlisted as “incredibly humbling”, particularly being recognised alongside “so many inspiring women”.

“We were all sharing tips and tricks on how we promote kindness and diversity and inclusion in our respective industries. It was fantastic.”

While there is work to be done, she acknowledges that the construction industry is continually progressing towards having a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

“This is reinforced by the fact that so many organisations have set corporate goals aligning with this vision,” she says. “Having said this, there is still a long way to go.” 

Education is key

To help address the issue, she says, education is key.

“We need to highlight the benefits of diversity and inclusion while ensuring that recruitment and professional development remain merit-based, avoiding positive discrimination,” she adds.

“Early engagement with students is crucial in showcasing the exciting career opportunities in construction and encouraging them to pursue relevant studies that will support their entry into the industry.”

She is also keen to encourage more young construction professionals to get involved with the CIOB Tomorrow’s Leaders programme and become STEM ambassadors, as this can act as a platform to support emerging talent.

“It is so important to help break down those barriers and create opportunities for new talent, including people from underrepresented groups,” she says.

“By being more innovative and more inclusive in the way the industry engages with young people, it can help to empower the next generation of leaders.

“Everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background. And it really is up to us to help make that a reality.”