Women in Construction: Where are they?
Just 14.7% of those working in the construction industry are female.
Depending on the source, this figure has been as low as 13.8% over the past year, meaning that around only 1/7 of those in the sector are female. There are a number of reasons for this – societal ‘norms’, a lack of awareness and opportunity, and the perceived and actual cultures than can exist in male-dominated sectors like construction, have all been sighted in the conversations I’ve had with women at the beginning of their construction career, or that have considered leaving the sector during their career – only to find another role that’s different.
For International Women’s Day this year, I wanted to start changing the narrative, and celebrate some of those women I’ve worked with that are leading the charge, talk about the success they’ve had in their careers, the changes they’re seeing in the construction sector, and what more allies can do to accelerate growth for women in construction.
To create this, I spoke with a number of women in different roles in the sector - project managers, building surveyors and more, who have contributed their thoughts to the below anonymously, as well as Bianca Howl, Head of Business Development at West + Vittori, and Chloe Cross, an ambassador for Women in Construction, who now manages communications for a number of construction firms across the UK for Cresco Commercial.
Inspiration and getting a career in construction
Barriers to entry and opportunities to get in and get on were highlighted by my panel – none more so highlighted than by Chloe’s introduction to the sector as a PA to directors of an asbestos business. On looking to further her knowledge of the sector she undertook a three-day new operatives course in the space, and was initially encountered with scepticism at attending by the males in the room (though this dissipated as soon as they saw her already sound knowledge of the space). Chloe’s drive to learn within the construction space was so critical, and was vindicated, as her role took on greater significance after that, moulding into a BD-focused position, then a standalone BD role at a civil company, to running the labour supplies for projects and eventually then the BD Director at a Design and Build Company – all with the opportunity she was afforded.
To help people learn more about the sector, the CIOB is currently advocating a GCSE in the built environment, which would be a step in the right direction and help others know more about the different routes before they leave mandatory, full-time education.
Challenges for and benefits of women in construction
There are often negative stereotypes about women in construction – i.e. that a woman wouldn’t necessarily be able to be a groundworker because of physical differences – but even if these were to be believed, there are roles in construction that can tie into positive stereotypical female traits. Technical competencies notwithstanding, women for example stereotypically show greater organisational capabilities than men, that could be associated with careers in project management. Bianca goes further, suggesting that patience, due to the often-lengthy processes in construction, and empathetic and supportive tendencies that are key in management, are other reasons why women should be primed for a career in construction more often.
How can the sector improve its gender balance?
We’re back to education.
Bianca’s new group dedicated to ‘Sisters In Property’, SIP, recently launched as a community space for women in construction and property to share ideas, what’s going on in the construction market, and build connections in relaxed way – joining established forums for the built environment like Real Estate Balance as a networking group for those in the sector, to help those within these groups advance their careers. This, while Chloe will be attending an education fair in Kent soon, visiting a school to give a talk and letting children experience using drones, hardhats and (safe!) tools you’d typically expect on a site, to inspire them into a career in the space.
As Bianca comments ‘there are more and more women getting involved in construction, with more on-site specifically, especially within the fit out/design & build spaces’, but while there is a gender paygap still hovering at 17% (Source: ONS data), we can celebrate those women who are achieving great things in the sector, but also need to change the practices in the space. This is where a specialist recruitment consultancy can help, knowing what roles should be paid and the organisations that are committed to gender parity in roles.
Who I am and what I do
I’m Ashleigh, Principal Construction recruiter at Cobalt. If I had been educated on what Quantity Surveying or Project Management consisted of my life might have turned out entirely different, but now as a woman recruiting in the construction space, I have the opportunity to make the sector more equitable through every conversation I have with candidates and clients in construction every day.
Bianca and Chloe are just two of the people I’ve worked with in my career to date, with plenty more examples of those candidates who haven’t seen the change they need to see in the sector. Organisations and cultures are becoming more wise to equal opportunities, and I’m proud to work with a long list of clients that are at the forefront of this change.
Whether you’re a woman or not, if you’re looking to advance your career in construction, or if you’re an employer that believes in equal opportunities and wants to showcase it to top talent, or want assistance with your DE&I journey, please do get in touch with me here.
