From Childhood to Career: Women Navigating the Powered Access World

From Childhood to Career: A Woman Navigating the Powered Access World

Two perspectives from Vicki & Jade:  Two women shaping the future of powered access with very different experiences.

Introduction: Women Increasing in the Powered Access Industry

The powered access industry has long been dominated by men. For decades the sector has been shaped by male engineers, male sales teams and male depot managers. But today more women than ever are stepping into roles across sales, operations, logistics and leadership.

At International Platforms Ltd (https://www.internationalplatforms.co.uk/ ), we are proud to be part of that shift. Our business is led by two women from two different generations:

• Vicki: who has spent more than 20 years building a respected career in powered access, and
• Jade: who grew up watching the industry from the sidelines before unexpectedly joining it herself.

Their journeys reflect the changing face of the powered access world and the growing presence of women in construction.

 

Growing Up: What Shaped Your Confidence and Ambition?

Jade: “I never wanted to do this!”

Growing up, powered access was the last thing I imagined myself doing. I watched Vicki running around constantly, stressed, travelling, juggling customers and rarely home. It looked chaotic, exhausting, and nothing like the life I pictured for myself.

My passion was horses. I imagined a future working outdoors with animals rather than people, not selling MEWPs or negotiating transport loads. I wasn’t naturally confident and even now outside my work comfort zone, I still don’t see myself that way. The idea of stepping into the same world Vicki lived in felt overwhelming.

But life has a funny way of redirecting you and sometimes the path you resist becomes the one you thrive in.

 

Vicki: “I fell into the industry and loved it instantly.”

My early career was mostly admin, but everything changed when I briefly worked with someone who later joined one of the main manufacturers, Genie. That connection opened the door to powered access and from the moment I stepped into the industry, I was hooked.

I loved the pace, the people, the challenge, and the sense of purpose. I threw myself into the job, learned fast, and worked hard. Confidence and determination helped me build a strong foundation in an industry I quickly became passionate about.

 

Entering the Workforce: What Challenges Did You Face?

Jade: “I had to learn everything from scratch.”

When I joined the powered access industry, starting in the rental sector, I had to learn everything:

• Product lines
• MEWP models
• Common Applications
• Transport requirements
• Customer expectations
• Industry terminology

It was a steep learning curve. Vicki made me a cheat sheet, but by the time she’d finished, I’d learned enough to get by. I wanted to be credible, confident and capable. So I made it my mission to know my products inside out, which now I can confidently say I know my stuff.

That knowledge became the foundation of my confidence, and the reason customers trust me today.

Vicki: “I had to prove myself in a room full of men.”

In the early 2000s, the powered access industry was overwhelmingly male. When I moved into sales, Genie UK was one of the few companies with women on the team.

It didn’t intimidate me, but I had to work twice as hard to prove I knew what I was talking about. Product knowledge became my armour and over time, it earned me respect from customers, colleagues, and competitors.

 

Moments of Being Underestimated

Jade: “They still go back to Vicki for a better deal.”

One thing that drives me mad is when I quote customers, mostly men, they often go straight back to Vicki to negotiate. Whether it’s her longevity in the industry or her title, it’s frustrating and disrespectful as I know I’m just as capable of making the deal work for both the customer and myself. However saying this it motivates me to keep proving myself and building my own reputation.

Vicki: “I hit a glass ceiling I couldn’t break.”

I’ve earned many opportunities, but I definitely hit a glass ceiling. No matter how skilled or knowledgeable I was, I couldn’t progress further. I watched men move into roles I wanted. Roles I knew I could do.

That frustration became a turning point and ultimately pushed me toward starting my own business.

 

Starting a Business in a Male‑Dominated Industry

Jade: “Covid changed everything.”

When Covid hit, everything shifted. I was furloughed and at risk of redundancy, Vicki’s personal life fell apart, and she hated her recently started job at a dealer. Starting a business together suddenly made perfect sense.

The male dominated environment didn’t bother us; we’d both spent years in it but I know how daunting it can be for newcomers.

My advice is: Know your products. Be confident, firm but polite.  And don’t take any nonsense.

Vicki: “I saw opportunity everywhere.”

I had a strong network of contacts and could see opportunities across the powered access market. It felt like the right moment to take the leap.

Jade had absorbed knowledge quickly through hard work and osmosis, and together we made a brilliant team. We support each other every day and that’s why International Platforms Ltd works.

 

Proving Your Expertise

Vicki: “Knowledge, skill, honesty, persistence.”

I’ve had to prove myself repeatedly. What got me through was simple: knowledge, skill, honesty, and persistence. Those qualities build credibility that lasts.

Jade: “Consistency earns respect.”

I make sure I know my products inside out and respond quickly and professionally. Consistency builds trust and trust builds respect.

 

The Role of Mentors, Allies, and Support Networks

Jade: “I never felt alone.”

Growing up around Vicki’s contacts meant I never felt completely alone in the industry. Over time, I built my own relationships based on trust and genuine care.

Being able to speak openly with people who understood the pressures helped me grow my skills and confidence.

Vicki: “Connections matter, but so does using your initiative”

I’ve always been open and honest, so I naturally gravitated toward people with similar traits. But I also learned a lot from those who challenged me.

I’ve had people I could call for advice, but I’ve also figured out plenty on my own.

 

Advice for Women Entering a Male‑Dominated Industry

Jade: “Stay sharp, stay strong.”

It’s not an easy world, but discrimination is nowhere near as bad as it used to be. Still, you need to be on top of your game and keep your wits about you.

Be tough‑skinned and try not to take things personally, even though that’s easier said than done.

Vicki: “Be realistic, resilient, and ready.”

This industry is improving, but it will always be predominantly male. Men can be crude, rude, sexist, and derogatory. Sometimes they don’t mean anything by it, sometimes they do. You need internal strength, the ability to let things roll off your shoulders and the wisdom to know when to respond and when to walk away.

These skills are essential if you want to thrive in the powered access industry.

Conclusion: Women Belong in Powered Access

Two women. Two generations. Two very different paths into the same industry. But both Vicki and Jade share the same message:

Powered access may be a man’s world, but women belong here, too. Not by accident, not by exception, but because they’ve earned their place, proved their worth and built careers defined by resilience, knowledge and determination.

To learn more about our work, explore our available machines, or connect with us, search: 👉 International Platforms Ltd (https://www.internationalplatforms.co.uk/ )

Vicki & Jade also attended a breakfast morning for "Women in Powered Access", to read more about this and their experience, click the following link- https://www.accessbriefing.com/news/ipaf-women-in-powered-access-event-/8123578.article?zephr_sso_ott=M9G1PV