Women In Construction Week: Vedra Walton, ADT Driver

06 Mar 2023

This Women In Construction Week, we’ve been talking to women across our business about their routes into construction, what they love about their jobs, and their tips for entering the industry.

Women In Construction Week: Vedra Walton, ADT Driver

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…😊