How can we encourage women into the construction industry?

It’s no secret that the construction industry is dominated by men. That much is for definite. But why are women holding back from jobs in the industry, and how can we encourage them to get involved?

What industry officials have to say

Skills and employment advisor Kimberley McGinty from VGC Group has a few opinions on the matter. She said, “Women from a young age need to be more aware of the roles available within construction. There’s a preconceived idea that the industry is predominantly boots and muck but there’s much more to us than that.

“We need to roll the message out far and wide that construction is becoming far more inclusive now. A woman working on site is not as unusual as you might think! VGC Group have taken steps to make sure that all the women who work for us feel included, safe and happy in their roles, and have the opportunity to progress to where they want to be.”

In fact, VGC Group are even launching a women’s support network on Women’s International Day (March 8th). They will support each and every woman working for them, and help them to reach their full potential.

Kimberley McGinty continues, “Going out and talking to young girls of school age (before GCSEs and possibly as young as primary age) is key. They need to know that this industry is one to be proud of. This is their chance to shape the future and leave a lasting legacy.

“However, the buck stops with the parents and these are the people we need to target. I have been doing this recently with very mixed responses. It’s a tough nut to crack but if all the women who do work in construction and love their vocation got together and made their voices heard and brought construction into sight for all women then we would be making some steps – but we seem to be hidden a lot.”

Building surveyor Sophie Smith agrees that women are unaware of the sheer variety of jobs within the construction industry. She says, “Young people tend to know what a builder and an architect is but not what’s in between. For me I did a bit of research and thought building surveying would be the job for me. I wanted something different every day.”

However, sexism is undeniably a large reason why women still account for less than a quarter of construction workersA study about gender pay gaps and issues within the construction sector carried out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors found that 30% of women cited sexism as a fear surrounding their career choice. What’s more, 39% responded saying they did not believe firms were doing enough to attract women to the industry.

RICS chief executive Sean Tompkins said, “Although it’s great to see the sector expects the gender pay gap to be lower than the national average, today’s findings highlight that achieving gender equality in the construction sector requires significant commitment from organisations.

“The findings reveal that it is primarily the responsibility of individual organisations to invest in schemes and nurture more inclusive cultures that support women to hold more senior roles in the construction industry.

“Diversity and an inclusive culture where you feel entirely comfortable being yourself in the workplace has to be embedded as part of your business strategy.”

How can we attract more women into the construction sector?

1. Let people know about the broad range of opportunities available.

There are hundreds of different types of work in the industry no matter what type of job you’re searching for. The industry thus has a responsibility to shout about any available positions they have and advertise to a diverse range of job applicants. No matter whether you prefer getting your hands dirty, or like working with numbers, or can sketch really well, there’s something in construction for you. Perhaps you’re a good team leader or work well under pressure? You’ll find a suitable role.

2. Show young women that there are female role models. 

Women make up just under a quarter of the construction industry. So where are they? The industry should be showing young women that there are females in all positions across the sector. These positions range from senior/managerial job roles to heavy manual labour. The more young people know about the role models they have, the more they’ll look up to them.

3. Team up with relevant groups. 

There are so many groups (London & District Construction Association’s Women In ConstructionWomanthology and Women In Construction Week to name but a few) which companies can team up with. Through these groups they can get involved in a number of activities. These include attending and hosting events, writing posts, and getting promotions out encouraging women to get involved. They also provide safe spaces for women to learn more about the industry. 

4. Focus on STEM subjects in schools.

It’s always difficult as a young child to decide what you want to be when you grow up, but a lot of children at least have some sort of idea by the time they’re in their teenage years. This often informs their GCSE and A Level/College choices.

Informing children from a primary school age what sort of careers are out there, particularly in science, technology, engineering and maths can help open their minds to what else they could become. 

How else would you encourage women into the construction industry and promote diversity amongst your workforce? Comment below and let us know!

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