“Being the only woman HGV driver on our Luton HTMC is a very big achievement and one I am very proud of.”
VolkerHighways and Luton Council are delighted to share that Joely Murray, Permitting Officer, has achieved her HGV licence! Joely is the first ever female HGV driver to work on our Luton highway term maintenance contract. We recently caught up with her to explore her new role and how we can inspire more women to join the construction industry.
When did you join VolkerHighways and what are your responsibilities as a Permitting Officer?
I joined VolkerHighways back in 2021 as a Business Administrator and have since worked my way up to a Permitting Officer. My day-to-day tasks include making sure works are permitted correctly and working alongside the client to make sure we have all the correct information to carry out the job safely and correctly. Most importantly, I have to ensure I am scheduling the works in priority order so that we meet our KPI targets.
Please tell us about your new role as a HVG driver…
I recently passed my HGV course as well as my winter maintenance course which means I am now part of our Winter Maintenance Gritting Team. This requires being on call and making sure I am ready for any change in weather which would result in us going out to grit the roads throughout the winter period. I was called out on my first grit run this week which was very exciting!
Being the only woman HGV driver on our Luton HTMC feels like a very big achievement and one I am very proud of.
What motivated you to take on this additional responsibility?
My main motivation for taking on this role was to show that women ‘can do it too!’ Although we work in a male dominated sector, we should always remember that if there is a goal we want to accomplish then our gender stereotype does not have to get in the way of that.
How was the training process?
The process to gain this qualification was very smooth sailing and I have to thank my manager and team mates for helping me make it possible and always believing in me. I had a weeks’ intensive driving course which, although daunting, was a really fun and a great experience.
What support did VolkerHighways give you?
My team mates supported me the whole way through this process and always pushed me to do my best. VolkerHighways set up each training course and offered me continuous support throughout the whole process.
How do you feel the industry could be more inclusive or supportive for female drivers?
I think sometimes male dominated industries can be daunting for women. Having more women come together would be beneficial so we can all support one another. This might be sharing their stories on their qualifications or personal career goals – this may just inspire other women to make the leap and go for what they want.
What advice would you give to other women who may be interested in HGV driving/joining the construction industry, but are also thinking about starting a family/have a family?
All I can say is if you are interested in becoming an HGV driver then definitely go for it, VolkerHighways has been so supportive in my journey of becoming an HGV driver. It would be great to see more women gain this qualification. I am currently expecting my first baby and the rota for the gritting works very well with one week on and one week off, so if you have a family, or you are starting a family, then this can still work well around your life. Even though I am expecting, I am still on the rota for this year, but my manager and I are frequently completing risk assessments to make sure I am always safe.
I definitely recommend doing your HGV if it is something you are thinking about. It is huge achievement, and you will be so proud of yourself when it is done!
