Empowering You: Attracting more military women into construction

Last month, Rachael Smith, People and Culture Executive Director at Sir Robert McAlpine, and Katy Maloney, Trainee Quantity Surveyor, spoke at the Empowering You Conference with Forces Employment Charity.

Rachael and Katy drew on their knowledge and experience to highlight employment opportunities and career pathways for members of the Armed Forces Community, particularly military women, spouse and partners.  

Looking back at Sir Robert McAlpine’s 157year history of “proudly building Britain’s future heritage”, Rachael emphasised how modern construction is far broader than traditional perceptions might suggest. From digital construction and sustainability to engineering, design management, health and wellbeing, and commercial roles, the built environment today offers diverse career pathways well suited to a wide range of skills and backgrounds.  

Having served in the Army for ten years before joining Sir Robert McAlpine 14 years ago, Rachael understands that resilience, teamwork, leadership, and the values developed through military life, align well with construction careers. This natural fit can be especially powerful when combined with the inclusive recruitment and progression practices she described.   

In her session, Katy Maloney, who joined SRM just a year ago, reflected on the practical realities faced by military families, such as uncertainty, frequent change and the need to balance professional ambitions with family commitments. Speaking as the wife of a current Army serviceman, Katy highlighted how having an employer who understands these pressures can make a significant difference to career confidence and progression. 

Katy’s story at SRM demonstrates how practical support and inclusive cultures are not abstract concepts, but real enablers for people navigating complex personal circumstances. By sharing her experience, Katy reinforced the message that construction can be a viable, supportive and rewarding career choice for military spouses and partners, particularly when employers are willing to listen, adapt and invest in their people.  

Rachael and Katy’s message to attendees was clear: construction is evolving, and so are the opportunities within it. By opening up conversations, challenging outdated assumptions and putting the right structures in place, the industry can play a vital role in empowering more women to shape the built environment.