Vedra ran a pub before switching to driving an Articulated Dump Truck (ADT). She has almost a decade’s experience onsite, and has spent the past five years working at McAuliffe as an ADT and roller driver.
She is a mum-of-five and fundraises for Severn Hospice in Telford in her free time.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
I wanted to be a nurse. I studied nursing at university, but then marriage and kids came along so my studies took a back seat.
How did you get into the construction industry?
Before McAuliffe I ran a pub for four years. Truth be told, I hated it…
I worked long hours and saw a lot of anti-social behaviour. My ex-husband’s employer suggested (I thought in jest) that I get my CSCS card, and said he’d get me a dumper driving job.
A neighbour put my name down and paid for me to do dumper training, and that was that!
What do you like most about your job?
I enjoy being autonomous as a plant op. I like my own company and prefer not working closely with other people, so driving a machine is a perfect fit for me.
Working in this industry has allowed me to see lots of the country, including travelling abroad. My very first site was in Edinburgh, so I moved away from home to work there. I was the first female operative on that site.
McAuliffe is very supportive as an employer. I learnt to drive the roller here.
Do you have any tips for women considering a career in the industry?
My advice? Try it. If you don’t like it, there are other jobs out there.
Personally, I would have started earlier if I had known how well I’d take to it!
It can be challenging, and I enjoy doing something different every day. People help one another, and everyone gets stuck in. I also enjoy working outside, though early starts are not my favourite!
The world is changing – it’s not a man’s world anymore. And we leave the site tidier…😊
