Women in Construction – Your Questions Answered: Part Two

Women in Construction – Your Questions Answered: Part Two

What Are The Benefits Of Having More Women In The Construction Industry?

Increased gender diversity in construction can lead to enhanced creativity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities within the workforce. A diverse team also contributes to better decision-making, an improved company culture, and a more inclusive working environment.

What National Initiatives Are Being Taken To Encourage More Women To Join The Construction Industry?

Several organisations and campaigns, such as Women into Construction, National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), and #BuildTheFuture on Twitter, are actively working to promote gender diversity in the industry by providing networking opportunities, mentoring programmes, educational resources, and career guidance for women. These organisations sometimes also offer financial aid programmes and various university-specific scholarships for female engineering and architecture students.

How Can Schools And Educational Institutions Encourage More Girls To Consider Careers In Construction?

Schools and educational institutions have a strong role to play in promoting construction careers. This can start in primary school by minimising gender stereotypes and promoting science, technology, maths, construction and engineering skills, toys, and resources to all children. Secondary schools and colleges can build on this, promoting construction as a positive working environment for all young girls by providing exposure to the industry through careers fairs, workshops, guest speakers and hands-on experiences. Additionally, they can encourage participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects and extracurricular activities at school, as well as highlight successful female role models in construction.

What Networking Opportunities Are Available For Women In The Construction Industry?

Several of the UK’s advocacy organisations host annual events, conferences and workshops that enable women to connect, share experiences, and support each other in their professional growth. There are also a growing number of women’s construction groups and informal networking associations on LinkedIn, through which female construction professionals can build contacts and collaborate on shared initiatives.

What Is Being Done To Address The Gender Pay Gap In The Construction Industry?

Unfortunately, the UK construction industry is as prone to the gender pay gap as any other sector, although actual rates of pay and the gender gap vary widely from company to company, and across different regions. To address the gender pay gap in construction, businesses of all sizes are encouraged to implement transparent pay structures, conduct regular salary audits for all workers, and ensure unbiased performance evaluations for male and female employees.

How Would A Young Woman Get Started In An On-site Role As A Construction Contractor?

Our advice to young women considering a career in construction is to bite the bullet and go for it. The construction sector needs you and other women because you have valuable skills to offer, because the sector wants to change, and because there is a skills shortage. Although you may be in a minority on site, attitudes have changed and continue to do so, and most people will be friendly, helpful, and treat you in the same way as they treat their male colleagues.

To work on site as a carpenter or decorator with SC4, or as a subcontractor on one of our projects, you’ll need:

• An NVQ Level 2 in either Site Carpentry or Decorating

• A current CSCS Card

• Your own van or car to get to sites (mainly in Hampshire and surrounding locations - see our project map on our website for details of where we work)

• Your own tools

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

We take on new apprentices each year, usually in August or September, and it takes around two years to gain your Level 2 NVQ. Please get in touch if you would like more information!