Celebrating Women in Construction: Fran from Thorpes Joinery

Women in Construction Week (2-8 March) is an event originally launched by The National Association of Women in Construction to spotlight the women who are shaping the future of the construction industry. This year’s theme, ‘Together We Rise, ’ celebrates the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions women bring to the field.

In honour of this year’s theme, Modern Joinery hears about one of the many talented women that make up the Thorpes Joinery team to learn more about why they chose to pursue careers in construction. In this piece, we meet Fran.

Meet Fran

Francesca, a second-year apprentice, joined Thorpes two years ago after deciding it was time for a career change. Inspired by her creative flair, she chose to enroll in a joinery apprenticeship, eager to learn a new skill.

Fran explained her journey in the construction industry. When asked why she chose this path, she shared that she enjoys challenging herself and always strives for progress. The search for a hands-on, active role led her to explore joinery, where she could push her boundaries while learning new techniques.

Having worked on a variety of projects at Thorpes, Fran said she values the diversity of each assignment, which allows her to constantly grow and develop as a bench joiner. Reflecting on her experience as a woman in construction, she described it as “freeing” – a sentiment that encapsulates her pride and passion for her work.

Future plans

Once Fran completes her apprenticeship this year, she plans to stay with Thorpes as a qualified bench joiner. Her goal is to become the best joiner she can be, continuously honing her skills and expanding her expertise. Fran’s advice for anyone, especially women, considering a career in construction is simple: “Go for it. It’s amazing to represent women in this industry and encourage others to get involved in such a dynamic and impactful field.”

Thorpes says women like Fran are paving the way for future generations of women in construction and hope stories like hers and others will promote a better future for the industry.

Thorpes Joinery