S12 TRME 5 2018 Big 5 Dubai 01_Layout 1 06/11/2018 11:54 Page 46
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Women make up around 14 per cent of global construction industry professionals and this number can only be set to rise with more and more women choosing construction jobs.
Celebrating women in construction The global construction industry is moving towards gender diverse roles and the UAE is no different. To further women’s empowerment in the industry, Josine Heijmans, portfolio director at The Big 5, elaborates how the event is supporting the cause.
Developing the industry also means supporting its work force, and there’s no doubt that empowering women in construction is a priority today.
Technical Review Middle East (TRME): You are a role model for many, especially women, in the construction sector today. What has been your inspiration to take charge of one of the biggest events in the world – The Big 5 Dubai? Josine Heijmans (JH): In the 15 years that I have been working in events, I had the privilege to live in vibrant, fast-developing and changing cities such as Shanghai and Dubai. Here I have experienced opportunities urban design, planning and construction create for cities and its people. I feel proud that with the events in my portfolio – The Big 5 in Dubai, The Big 5 Construct Egypt, The Big 5 Solar, HVAC R Expo and the Urban Design and Landscaping Expo we provide the industry leading business, networking and educational platforms for the key stakeholders
Technical Review Middle East - Issue Five 2018
contributing to the design, development and construction of these new and smart sustainable cities.
TRME: The Big 5 2018 will focus on ‘Women in Construction’. What do you hope to achieve from the outcome? JH: As The Big 5 prepares to turn 40 next year, we are working on an edition that is all about the future. Under the theme “Shaping the future of construction”, The Big 5 2018 will introduce new features to move the building industry forward. Developing the industry also means supporting its workforce, and there’s no doubt that empowering women in construction is a priority today. The Big 5’s Women in Construction Seminar and Awards will offer strong, powerful and successful women an www.technicalreview.me