The National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) on 26 February 2025, through its Training and Research Department conducted a Career Talk program aimed at encouraging young girls to consider careers in the construction industry. The event took place in Ntcheu and Mchinji districts, reaching students at Dombole Secondary School, Jordan Community Day Secondary School, Ntcheu Secondary School, Magawa Secondary School, Namitete Secondary School and Mchinji Secondary School.
The program wanted to break gender stereotypes in the construction industry by exposing young female students to various career opportunities available in the construction sector. The initiative featured six young female professionals in the industry engaging with the students, providing them with insights into different fields such as engineering, architecture and quantity surveying. They also shared inspiring success stories about their career journeys and how they thrive in in the industry demonstrating that construction is not an only-male field, rather, a field for all.
Speaking at one of the schools, one of the young professionals shared their story that she has been a student like them, and unlike some of them she was not good in science subjects until she was motivated by one of the industry professionals on a similar career talk that time. She said that she started taking her studies seriously with particular attention to science subjects to become one of the construction industry players. She said she does not regret her decision of becoming a player in the industry as she knows the industry is an ever-growing market that will never end and that she is continuously motivated seeing projects she has actively contributed in flourish everyday she as she travels across the country.
Students in all the schools showed their excitement with the visit and they actively participated in the program showing their eagerness to join careers in the construction field. The students asked a number of questions to the young role models and many acknowledged that they had never previously considered construction as a possible path for them but they were now inspired to pursue various professional roles within the sector. Teachers from the participating schools expressed gratitude to NCIC for taking the time to visit their schools and inspire the girls, saying such engagements play a crucial role in shaping students’ career choices. They encouraged the girls to take all their lessons seriously and consider careers in construction as they have been told and reminded them that they can achieve this with hard work and determination.
The Career Talk program is part of NCIC’s broader efforts to promote women inclusivity in the industry. The council will continue with the initiative to more schools across the country, ensuring that more young girls are encouraged and supported in pursuing careers in construction to continue achieving its goals of fostering a vibrant construction industry in the country.