Gail McEwen has commenced her term as Vice President of the Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA), marking a significant milestone as the first woman to hold this position in the Association's 75-year history. Building on her prior work within the Women in Plant Working Group, Gail's ambitions as Vice President extend to encompass crucial industry-wide issues, notably digital transformation and apprenticeships.

Gail expressed her pride in this historic appointment: "I am proud to become the first female Vice President of the SPOA and I hope that members also feel that sense of pride. I really hope that by taking on this responsibility I can inspire and encourage other women in the plant industry to come forward and get more involved in the SPOA."

While remaining a strong advocate for women in the plant sector, Gail outlined her broader focus: "Whilst lobbying for women in plant is obviously something that is very close to my heart, the areas that I really want to focus on whilst in office affect everyone that works in the industry – digital transformation and apprenticeships."

Demystifying Digital Transformation

Gail is determined to clarify and promote the benefits of digital transformation within the plant industry. She believes the construction sector as a whole needs to accelerate its adoption of digital technologies and that the plant industry should be at the forefront of this evolution.

"The problem is that, whilst there is a lot of information out there, it is confusing and not always backed up with hard facts and data. I want to change that," Gail explained. "I want to provide SPOA members with academically verified information about the different technology available and the benefits it can bring. Members need much better clarity both on the up-front costs of certain elements such as machine control, but then they need accurate evidence and an indication of the return on investment they should expect. That way, SPOA member businesses can make informed decisions and ultimately be in the best position to tender for new contracts and hopefully become more sustainable and more profitable."

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Gail also emphasised that digital transformation extends beyond technology implementation: "It isn’t just about implementing digital tools; it is also company processes. Historically, the industry has been quite poor at this which can lead to low productivity and low profit. We want to change that for our members so that they have successful businesses."

Strengthening Apprenticeships

Another key priority for Gail is to build upon the SPOA’s established relationship with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the National Construction Colleges in Inchinnan and Bircham Newton.

"I think it is really important to raise awareness of apprenticeships and their role as a stepping stone to a great career," Gail stated. "Having a good relationship with our partners at the CITB is really important to help bridge that gap between industry and education. The SPOA needs to continue to play a proactive role in apprenticeships to ensure that our young people are getting the very best training and experience, whether that’s through providing input on the machinery used or even elements of the course itself."

Call for Member Engagement

Gail’s message to SPOA members centres on the importance of engagement: "I firmly believe that the SPOA should be the voice of the plant industry in Scotland. So much work has been done to lobby on behalf of members, whether that’s around the removal of the rebate on red diesel or the current proposals to change the regulations around inheritance tax and Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, but we need members to engage with us so that we can best represent their interests and work hard on their behalf."

She sees a period of significant opportunity for the SPOA and its members: "I think that the SPOA is on the cusp of disruption, in a good way. We are on the cusp of digital transformation; we are looking ahead to where the industry is likely to move, and members will be privy to all that information. I would encourage members to engage with us in any way they wish to make sure they really get the best out of their membership of the SPOA."

Giving Back to the Industry

With a successful career spanning roles as a plant operator, civil engineer, and training provider, and currently pursuing her PhD, Gail feels it is the right time to contribute back to the industry. She was inspired by the dedication of the SPOA Executive Committee:

"The members of the Executive Committee are all volunteers, and they are driven by their passion for the industry, passion for change and a desire to give back. I have been lucky enough to witness some of the work in the last couple of years around apprenticeships, training and lobbying and I found that really inspirational. I want to be part of that, and I think I have a lot to give."

Continued Focus on Women in Plant

While stepping down as Chair of the Women in Plant Working Group following her appointment as Vice President, Gail will remain actively involved in this crucial area: "The work continues. We will continue to facilitate forums, online or in person, to give women the opportunity to share experiences and highlight the challenges they face, especially on construction sites. The mission goes on to make working life more sustainable for women in plant and to encourage more women to consider our industry for their career."