THE Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) has elected Gail McEwen as the organisation’s first female vice president.
The move has been described as a significant milestone in the association’s 75-year history. Gail, who is director and lead trainer at Setting Out For Construction, has goals that extend beyond the continuation of the work she has already started as part of the Women in Plant Working Group.
“I am proud to become the first female vice president of the SPOA and I hope that members also feel that sense of pride,” Gail said. “I really hope that by taking on this responsibility I can inspire and encourage other women in the plant industry to come forward and get more involved in the SPOA.
“Whilst lobbying for women in plant is obviously something that is very close to my heart, the areas that I really want to focus on whilst in office affect everyone that works in the industry – digital transformation and apprenticeships.”
Gail is on a mission to ‘demystify’ digital transformation in the plant industry. She believes the sector as a whole is not yet where it needs to be in this area.
“The problem is that, whilst there is a lot of information out there, it is confusing and not always backed up with hard facts and data. I want to change that. I want to provide SPOA members with academically verified information about the different technology available and the benefits it can bring.
“Members need much better clarity both on the up-front costs of certain elements such as machine control, but then they need accurate evidence and an indication of the return on investment they should expect. That way, SPOA member businesses can make informed decisions and ultimately be in the best position to tender for new contracts and hopefully become more sustainable and more profitable.
“It isn’t just about implementing digital tools; it is also company processes. Historically, the industry has been quite poor at this which can lead to low productivity and low profit. We want to change that for our members so that they have successful businesses.”
When it comes to apprenticeships, Gail wants to build on the close working relationship the SPOA has developed with the CITB and the teams at the National Construction Colleges in Inchinnan and Bircham Newton.
“I think it is really important to raise awareness of apprenticeships and their role as a stepping stone to a great career. Having a good relationship with our partners at the CITB is really important to help bridge that gap between industry and education. The SPOA needs to continue to play a proactive role in apprenticeships to ensure that our young people are getting the very best training and experience, whether that’s through providing input on the machinery used or even elements of the course itself.”
Having forged a successful career as a plant operator, civil engineer and a training provider and currently completing her PhD, Gail feels the time is right to give something back to the industry and she was inspired by the passion and drive of the members of the Executive Committee.
“The members of the Executive Committee are all volunteers, and they are driven by their passion for the industry, passion for change and a desire to give back. I have been lucky enough to witness some of the work in the last couple of years around apprenticeships, training and lobbying and I found that really inspirational. I want to be part of that, and I think I have a lot to give.”
Now that she is VP, Gail has stepped down as chair of the Women in Plant Working Group but will continue to be actively involved.
“The work continues. We will continue to facilitate forums, online or in person, to give women the opportunity to share experiences and highlight the challenges they face, especially on construction sites. The mission goes on to make working life more sustainable for women in plant and to encourage more women to consider our industry for their career.”
