To mark International Women’s Day, Mountsorrel Quarry recently welcomed female students from Humphrey Perkins to the site as part of a careers event to inspire young women to explore future careers in the construction and materials sector.
The visit on Tuesday 24 February gave 10 students from the school in Barrow upon Soar the opportunity to hear from women working across a multitude of areas including sustainability, land management and AI. The sessions focused on sharing personal career journeys, highlighting transferrable skills, and demonstrating how careers in construction and materials can contribute positively to communities and the environment. Students were then taken on a guided tour of the site to help bring these careers to life.
The event was organised by Tarmac’s Female Voice Community, with the Mountsorrel team providing site access, logistical support and speakers to help deliver the day safely and successfully.
Vanessa Saunders from Tarmac’s Female Voice Community, said “it was great to see the girls have the opportunity to explore such an important part of their local economy that they usually don’t get to see. I think we have successfully lifted the lid on the industry and hopefully sparked an interest that will lead to them considering a career path in construction in the future.”
One of the students who attended commented “There are more jobs than I thought. It surprised me how many there were and all the different roles” with another noting “You can tell how much the team all love their jobs”. The teacher added “the way the staff engaged with the students was fantastic… I hope the students have gained a new perspective on what Tarmac has to offer”.
Engaging with schools and supporting initiatives like this forms an important part of Mountsorrel Quarry’s approach to skills, early careers and community engagement. By working with external partners, the team is keen to help inspire a more diverse next generation of talent.
International Women’s Day, marked each year on 8 March, is an opportunity to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
In 2025, women represented just over 17% of the workforce across Tarmac, with higher representation in professional and functional roles. Encouraging greater participation across all areas of the business is an ongoing priority, and initiatives such as this careers event form part of that wider commitment.