Salford Celebrate the first AECOM Women in Construction Scholarship

The AECOM Women in Construction Scholarship is designed to help increase the number of women completing construction-related undergraduate degrees and provides one female student from a low-income background studying Construction Project Management with financial, academic, and professional support throughout their three years of study.

The University of Salford is committed to breaking down barriers for female students in the built environment and STEM sectors by improving access to learning and creating life-changing opportunities.

The inaugural scholarship has been awarded to Helen Ward, a Construction Project Management student at Salford who has been described by her peers as, “an extremely resilient young woman who has incredible plans for her future career in the construction industry.”

Craig Edwards, Managing Director, Environment and Ground Engineering, UK and Ireland, AECOM, said: “We truly believe in the value of improving access to the construction industry, reaching people from a variety of different backgrounds who will bring a diversity of perspective. We also recognise the importance of collaboration between industry and academia to attract future female talent, so we’re really proud to partner with the University of Salford to launch the AECOM Women in Construction Scholarship.

“In addition to financial assistance, our team will provide professional support to students under the scholarship each year, working with the university to help equip the next generation of construction professionals with the skills that industry needs.”

Nicky Harris, Lecturer in Construction Management at The University of Salford added: “Promoting equality and diversity in our teaching and learning is important to the University and is something that I am passionate about being a female working in the Built Environment sector. It is important that we break down barriers and improve access for female students, so we are pleased to offer the scholarship with AECOM, to pave the way for a deserving female to enter the sector with the additional support of an industry partner.”

Scholarships of this nature are extremely important to the University, who take pride in the donor-funded initiatives made possible through industry partners and alumni. Such initiatives are vital to help provide greater support to students who may otherwise be deterred from pursuing a degree due to financial constraints, supporting them in realising their ambitions.

To create additional opportunities for students, the University is working in collaboration with AECOM to create other programmes which help to enhance employability such as work experience placements.