Campaign launched to get more women in construction

A campaign has been launched in the UK and Ireland by the Considerate Constructors Scheme to boost the industry effort to attract more women into the construction industry.

The scheme, which makes around 15,000 monitoring visits to construction sites, companies and suppliers every year, surveyed over 1000 people to find out why women still only represent a meagre 11% of the construction industry workforce. The campaign provides a variety of practical steps that can be taken to address this issue in the short, medium and long term.

The survey findings also revealed that:

• 94% of respondents agreed that the industry would benefit from employing more women.
• 76% said there are no construction jobs which only men can do.
• 74% said there should not be quotas for hiring women into construction.

Michèle Dix, managing director for Crossrail 2, said: “Women are still underrepresented at present but I think we are starting to move in the right direction. We need to recognise the need for more flexible working arrangements, especially if we are to encourage women back after taking time off for children.

“I think there are lots of opportunities out there and one message I would give to my fellow women colleagues is “go for them! Be confident in your own abilities. The industry has so much to offer.”

Site Manager for Higgins Construction, Victoria Betts said: “In the time I have been working in the industry there has definitely been an increase in the amount of females working in it. The Considerate Constructors Scheme has been a big driving force in this as it insists on facilities for females that previously would not have been in place.”

www.ccsbestpractice.org.uk/spotlight-on/spotlight-on-women-in-construction/