The
UK and Ireland campaign ‘Spotlight
on...women in construction’ has been launched by the Considerate
Constructors Scheme to boost the much-needed 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.
It
is clear from the survey, that although some results appear encouraging, there
is still a huge amount to be done, particularly in addressing sexism and
changing misguided perceptions of what a career in construction offers to
women.
‘Spotlight
on…women in construction’ pulls together the latest and greatest examples
of best practice, case studies from women working across the construction
industry, legal requirements and links to useful organisations encouraging
women to work in construction.
The
Campaign extends the Scheme’s influence in this important area; by
complementing the Scheme’s monitoring Checklist which asks several questions
about equality and diversity to raise standards across the thousands of
Scheme-registered sites, companies and suppliers; and the role of the industry
mascot, Honor Goodsite in visiting hundreds of schools across the UK and
Ireland every year.
The
importance of having role models is absolutely critical. As such, ‘Spotlight
on…women in construction’ has interviewed a number of women within the industry
to examine what opportunities and challenges they have faced and why
construction offers a great career for women of all ages, backgrounds and
skills.
Case
study contributions include: Roma Agrawal, (Structural Engineer at AECOM and a
Director of the CCS); Stephanie Bennett, (trainee Quantity Surveyor, Morgan
Sindall); Victoria Betts, (Senior Site Manager, Higgins Construction), Sally
Cave, (first qualified female Gas Membrane Installer in the UK); Margaret
Conway, (Project Manager for McAleer & Rushe and winner of CIOB
Construction Manager of the Year 2017 Award); Michèle Dix (Managing Director,
Crossrail 2); Katie Kelleher (Crane Operator, Laing O’Rourke); Eillish Kwai
(Employment and Skills Manager, Ardmore); Kath Moore, (Carpenter and Chief
Executive, Women into Construction); and Megan Robinson (Technical Coordinator
at Barratt Developments plc).
Managing
Director for Crossrail 2, Michèle Dix 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.”
Considerate
Constructors Scheme Chief Executive, Edward Hardy said: “Thank you to everyone
who has contributed to ‘Spotlight on…women in construction’. The Campaign
provides a must-read set of resources for organisations and individuals who
would like to improve their standards of considerate construction – with the
aim of driving greater equality, diversity and inclusion throughout our
industry.
“Not
only is it imperative that standards must be raised in this area, in order to
help encourage more women into the industry, but a more equal and diverse
workforce also brings greater collaboration, creative thinking and more
inclusive workplaces. This can only be a positive step in helping to improve
the image of the UK and Irish construction industries.”
