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First in our series is Shannon McNiven.
Shannon is a service manager within the lifting division at Sunbelt Rentals UK. The role is diverse, involving overseeing both office and workshop operations within the lifting depot. Shannon liaises with clients, engineers and suppliers to ensure every bit of lifting equipment hired or sold is safe, compliant and the right for the job.
How did you get into the plant industry?
I started my journey in the plant industry over a decade ago as a service administrator within Hewden Stuart. This gave me a solid foundation of the behind-the-scenes logistics of plant and tool hire, from dealing with breakdowns and engineer planning to managing PPE responsibilities. I realised early on that I had a methodical, customer focused approach and a real interest in the technical side of the industry.
I worked hard to gain industry recognised qualifications, including my LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association) certifications, which allowed me to transition smoothly into specialised hire of lifting equipment and eventually into management roles within the lifting hire sector.
What was the biggest challenge you faced to start a career in plant?
The hardest part for me personally was the feeling that I constantly needed to prove myself. When I first started in the lifting side of the industry, I was a young girl with very little experience beyond what I learned as a service administrator in at Hewden. When I moved to a hire desk role at a different company and began leaning into the lifting side of plant hire, I often felt my that my interest wasn’t taken seriously enough by others in the industry.
However, my then manager took a chance on me, recognising my passion and potential within sector. Over a decade later, I am still here, still learning every day and still very much loving it. Perseverance and genuine passion for the kit will always prevail.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing is the variety, one day I am dealing with compliance and health and safety audits, and the next I’m coordinating logistics or providing technical support to our much-valued clients.
I find it incredibly rewarding to support clients and colleagues, to assist in making their projects run as smoothly, effortlessly and as safely as possible.
What advice would you give to other young women considering a career in plant?
My advice is to be curious and confident. The plant industry is vast and there is a massive range of roles that suits all skills, interests and talents. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get hands on with the equipment early on.
Focus on building your knowledge through industry recognised training and certification as this will give you a strong foundation and confidence to lead and progress.
It is such a rewarding career path where you are constantly learning and evolving, and the support us woman have now is incredible.
If you are interested in exploring a career in plant, visit https://www.goconstruct.org/.