Carly Somerville will be heading up the team representing WiP at the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge and is on a mission to entice women to consider a career in plant.

Carly said: “There are 44 plant operators competing to be crowned Scottish Plant Operator Challenge Champion and we are expecting thousands of visitors throughout the weekend. Many of those visitors will be women, some may already work in the plant industry as part of the management team of plant businesses, a plant operator themselves or there to support a partner, friend or colleague as they compete.

“Others might simply come along perhaps with their family, for a great day out in Perthshire. We want to meet as many women as possible and we’ve got lots to talk about and plenty of things for them try.”

The star attraction for WiP is the SPOA’s Tenstar Simulator, which is a great way of experiencing what it is like to operate plant in different environments and for different tasks in a safe and controlled space. The simulator proved a big hit at ScotPlant and this time, given the many opportunities to put the newest innovations to the test in the dig area, it is hoped that the simulator will appeal to those who have never operated plant before, the majority of whom are likely to be women.

Morris Leslie is kindly making a machine available for those women who want to try out a real machine. This is something that is almost impossible to facilitate out with an event like this. One of the team will be available to supervise and support.

At its stand, WiP will also be showcasing workwear and PPE specifically designed for women, launched at ScotPlant in collaboration with Leo Workwear.

Carly added: “Ill-fitting workwear is often a barrier for women considering a career in construction. It might seem like a small thing but it can make a big difference so having the range of clothing available for women to try will help break down that barrier.”

The WiP stand will also be located opposite the family zone where children visiting the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge can enjoy a bulldozer bouncy castle; a sandpit with sit on diggers and remote control diggers and trucks. Mums will be able to chat to Carly and the team about a career in plant and hopefully have some fun and try out the Tenstar Simulator and a real machine for themselves.

This is just one in a series of events that WiP has organised and there are many more planned throughout the year.

Gail McEwen, co-chair of WiP and also a judge for the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge, outlines the aim of the working group: “The Scottish Plant Owners Association is working really hard to reach out to women. Whether that’s creating a community for women already in the plant industry to come together and champion the causes that matter to them or working to promote the plant industry as a career path for women. If you are attending the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge, come along and speak to us.”

The Scottish Plant Operator Challenge takes place during the Working Vintage Plant Weekend, 27th July, Errol Airfield, Perthshire. The event is free to attend with donations encouraged at the gate for local charities.