INDUSTRY NEWS

Women in Construction: EHS Manager, Jessica Gough, recalls 20+ years of change in the construction industry

Ebony Middleton | Published on 7 March 2025

To celebrate Women in Construction Week, we spoke with Jessica Gough, EHS Manager at JK Williams, about her 20+ year career in the industry. From starting out in traffic control to operating heavy machinery and now managing safety, Jessica has seen the evolution of the industry first hand.

Kicking off: How a job offer at soccer lead to a career in construction

Jessica didn’t set out for a career in construction. At 19, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. Then, an unexpected opportunity changed everything.

“My old soccer coach had a small civil construction company—just a little family business,” she recalls. “He said, ‘Why don’t you come and start doing some traffic control for me?’”

She agreed, stepping onto a construction site for the first time, unsure of what to expect, but it didn’t take long before she was doing more than holding a stop/slow sign. “From there, I moved up to operate. They had little skid steers, so I was operating those, and 1.5-tonne excavators.”

Not too long later, she had another opportunity. A school friend told her to apply at JK Williams. At first, she brushed it off. “I said, ‘Oh no, it’s OK, I’m happy where I am.’” But after a sporting injury forced her to rethink her path, she reached out.

Her friend’s response was immediate: “Come down for an interview.” Jessica recalls, “So I came down, filled out the application form, and then she said, ‘Oh, just step into the room and we’ll have a chat.’ Next thing I know, she’s brought someone else in, and suddenly, I’m in an interview.” By the end of the day, she had the job.

That was 19 years ago. She’s been at JK Williams ever since—though her role has evolved far beyond what she was doing on her first day on site.

I started on skid steers and 1.5-tonne excavators, then got my truck licence so I could float my own gear. From there, I moved into dump trucks, graders, and even had a play in 30-tonne excavators.

Jessica Gough
HSE Manager

“I've never seen a female operator before!” - The reality of being the only woman onsite

When Jessica began, the absence of women on site was obvious—almost comically so.

“When I started, I was sent to other projects not run by JKW. I remember one time, I was working away and I heard someone yelling”, she recalls. “I thought something was wrong. I stopped, looked around, and there was a man shouting at me, ‘Oh! I’ve never seen a female operator before!’ and I was just like, “Oh, ok…cool!”

That kind of reaction would be very unusual today. “Now, it’s more uncommon not to have female construction workers out on the worksite.”

Not only are more women entering the industry every day but they’re thriving in it and being appreciated for their approach. “You talk to a lot of construction businesses, and the feedback from the mechanics is that women take a lot better care of the machinery. A lot of businesses love having women operating the plant!”

JK Williams: A workplace that supports women

Construction has historically been a male-dominated industry, but Jessica has seen how companies, like JK Williams, are shifting that culture. Women aren’t being limited to low-impact roles, instead they’re being given opportunities across every part of the business.

"At JK Williams, we have female dump truck operators, compactor operators, engineers, mechanics - you name it,” she said. “If you are willing to try and learn and put in the effort, they completely support it. They're not afraid to give the women a go in anything, really. Gender has never been a reason for not being given an opportunity, and they don’t say, ‘oh, no, you can't do that because you're a woman.’”

Women are supported at JK Williams

JK Williams: A workplace that supports women

Construction has historically been a male-dominated industry, but Jessica has seen how companies, like JK Williams, are shifting that culture.

Women aren’t being limited to low-impact roles, instead they’re being given opportunities across every part of the business.

Women are supported at JK Williams

That support extends beyond hiring, to career development and flexibility during major life changes. When a female team member at JK Williams announced her pregnancy, the company worked with her to transition into a different role, and provided additional training so she could continue growing professionally.

"We adapted to what she needed, trained her in new skills, and now we’re figuring out how to best support her return to work,” Jessica explains. “It wasn’t a big issue. It was just, ‘OK, how do we make this work for her?’"

"At JK Williams, we have female dump truck operators, compactor operators, engineers, mechanics - you name it,” she said. “If you are willing to try and learn and put in the effort, they completely support it. They're not afraid to give the women a go in anything, really. Gender has never been a reason for not being given an opportunity, and they don’t say, ‘oh, no, you can't do that because you're a woman.’”

That support extends beyond hiring, to career development and flexibility during major life changes. When a female team member at JK Williams announced her pregnancy, the company worked with her to transition into a different role, and provided additional training so she could continue growing professionally.

"We adapted to what she needed, trained her in new skills, and now we’re figuring out how to best support her return to work,” Jessica explains. “It wasn’t a big issue. It was just, ‘OK, how do we make this work for her?’"

Advice for women considering construction: Just go for it!!

Considering a career in construction? Jessica’s advice is simple: “Just go for it”.

"A lot of women hesitate, wondering if they can actually do it. The answer is yes, you can. Companies like JK Williams are happy to give you a chance and support you through your learning."

And while plenty of women thrive as operators, Jessica says that’s just one of many options. “We’ve got project engineers who love the civil side of it but don’t want to be out in the field as much. And we’ve got a female apprentice in surveying, she’s good with numbers and she’s loving it. Her dad is a grader operator, but she didn’t want to work on machines. She wanted to be in construction too, just in a different way.”

You’ll surprise yourself with what you’re able to do.

For those who do want to get hands-on, she suggests starting with dump trucks. “If you’ve got a car licence, you understand how something with four wheels moves. That’s an easy place to start. A dump truck is just driving and ejecting loads.”

Once you’re in, she says it’s about finding what excites you, “Some people love watching the land change – cutting from one area, filling another, shaping developments. Others get on graders and focus on really shaping the land. Some like the technical side, working with compactors and geotechnical engineers to make sure the compaction is right. There’s so many options!”

Women supporting women: The network is expanding

Support networks for women in construction have grown significantly in recent years. Organisations like Florence hold regular events and conventions where women in construction can connect, share experiences, and learn from each other.

"They're celebrating women, and it's not just within civil construction but across all male-dominated industries. The conventions they hold bring in guest speakers who talk about supporting one another in the industry. It’s a great way to build connections. You can reach out, talk to others with similar experiences, and see what they’ve achieved. The support network is huge, and having the opportunity to meet others in the same space and hear their stories makes a real difference."

Building something that lasts

For Jessica, one of the most rewarding aspects of construction is seeing the tangible results of her work.

"If you love the hands-on work, there’s nothing better than being out there, shaping something real,” she says. “I still drive past places with my kids and say, ‘This is what Mama built,’ or ‘This is what we did here.’”

Especially in her local area, where JK Williams has played a role in so many developments, she finds it rewarding to watch how things evolve over time.

"We’ve had a hand in so many iconic projects, it’s incredible to see how things change over the years and to know you were part of it."

What have you got to lose?: A message to women considering construction

If you're considering a career in construction, take the leap. Opportunities are there, support networks are growing, and companies are ready to back women who want to build their future in the industry. As Jessica puts it: "What have you got to lose?"