Halewood sent a record number of ladies through to the Regional TIC Convention this year. They represented the Plant, shared some brilliant ideas that can really improve the way we all work. We thought we would take this opportunity to salute them by having a catch-up with Kim Challis from Click and Collect and Lizzy Acker and Vicky Mowat from Jaguar SeaRovers, to find out a little more about their TIC journey.
Sitting down with the ladies, it’s clear they all feel very proud of their TIC ideas and that they’ve had the opportunity to present at the Regional Convention. So how do they feel being part of our record breaking group? Kim told us: “I don’t really feel like I’m in a minority, I’m always included in everything and get a lot of support from the people I work with, I’m just one of the lads.”
Vicky and Lizzy don’t have many female colleagues in Paint: “It’s great that we’ve got the opportunity to represent not only the ladies but Halewood as a whole.”
Vicky has worked at Halewood for the last 18 years, and told us how times have changed since she first joined. There were even less women then, and for a lot of the jobs people questioned whether she would be able to do them because she was a woman, but Vicky was more than happy to prove them wrong!
For Kim, one of the great things about taking part in TIC is getting out of her office and taking part in the banter on the shop floor. She feels like she’s back in the fold and though Click and Collect’s idea has already saved a massive £45,000 for the Company, the team also managed to have a laugh doing it!
Vicky and Lizzy’s project focused on single use plastics and reducing plastic waste. They started with the bags that overalls arrive in. Working on this project has really made them think about the impact of recycling. They are now women on a mission looking at plastic waste across the plant!
One of the biggest challenges for Vicky and Lizzy was presenting as this was something they had little experience of. This is something that many people taking part in TIC find daunting. They told us at the local convention that they were terrified but a reassuring smile from our HR Director Steph Stephenson and familiar faces in the crowd really helped them to settle their nerves.
If you’re thinking of taking part in TIC next year, male or female, Kim’s advice is to not be afraid to speak to people, break down barriers and get out there – people will help you if you ask!
Well done to all our ladies (and gents!) taking part in TIC this year – all your ideas will help Halewood to become even better.
