Lina' s Journey...
Lina Sharfi joined Kier in Jan 2023 through Transport for London’s (TfL) Women into Transport and Engineering (WiTnE) programme, which encourages women to consider careers in the transport and construction industries through training and work experience.
Since joining as a Workflow Coordinator, Lina has progressed in her career at Kier, completing two apprenticeships, and is now a Performance Analyst.
Get to know Lina as she reflects on her career journey, day-to-day, and aspirations for the future!
What attracted you to the opportunity?
“I was really drawn to the opportunity because I wanted to work in an industry where what we do has a real impact. At Kier Transportation, the projects we work on directly support infrastructure and communities, which makes the work feel meaningful.
“Programmes like WiTnE are also great because they highlight opportunities for women in engineering and construction and help encourage more diversity across the industry.”
Tell us about your role. What does your day-to-day look like?
“I’m currently a Performance Analyst, so a lot of my role is focused on looking at data and performance metrics to see where things can be improved.
“On a typical day I’ll be reviewing KPIs, analysing operational data, and working with teams to understand where processes could be improved. A big part of the role is turning data into something useful that helps teams make better decisions.”
What do you enjoy most about your role?
“The thing I enjoy most is the problem-solving side of it. I like digging into data, spotting patterns, and figuring out what’s driving an issue.
“It’s really rewarding when the analysis leads to changes that genuinely improve how things work day-to-day.”
How has your career progressed since joining?
“I started as a Workflow Coordinator, which gave me a good understanding of how the operational side works.
“Since then, I’ve progressed into my role as a Performance Analyst, where I focus much more on data and performance improvement. I’ve also completed two apprenticeships – a First Line Management Apprenticeship and a Data Literacy Apprenticeship, which really helped develop both my leadership and analytical skills.”
What are your future career goals?
“Long term, I’d like to move more into a business consultant or problem-solving role, where I can help teams identify challenges and implement improvements.
“I’m particularly interested in continuing to develop my expertise in performance metrics, analytics, and continuous improvement.”
What advice would you give to others considering a career in the industry?
“My advice would be not to feel intimidated by the industry. There are so many different roles beyond what people might expect, from analytics and performance improvement to project management and digital innovation.
“For women especially, I’d say be confident in your abilities and take opportunities when they come.”
What is TfL’s WiTnE programme?
TfL runs WiTnE to encourage women to consider careers in the transport and construction industries through training and work experience.
Candidates get training and support, a 2-week work placement at a participating employer within TfL’s supply chain and the chance to be interviewed for a role.
It’s TfL’s 10th year running WiTnE, so we’re incredibly proud and excited to be taking part in the programme again this year alongside City TM, one of our supply chain partners.
Why are programmes like WiTnE important?
“Programmes like WiTnE are important because they help create visibility and support for women in the industry.
“They give women the opportunity to share experiences, build networks, and hopefully inspire others who might not have previously considered a career in engineering or infrastructure.”
