Women to fill a quarter of all construction jobs by 2020

A new report, published by recruitment specialists Randstad, has found that 20% of jobs in the UK construction industry are currently held by women.

This may not seem like a breakthrough figure, considering that the male/female divide in most professional and technical sectors is now fairly equal. But when we consider that in 2010 women made up just 16% of the construction industry, showing a 4% rise in the last 4 years, when the previous 5 year period only showed a 1% rise, it’s quite impressive. Another positive change is the increase in pay for women in the industry, most showing an average of a 6% pay rise since 2005.

At this rate, by 2020, Randstad are expecting women to hold 26% of construction jobs, and if attitudes towards women in male dominated sectors continues to improve, this figure could well be higher.

Barriers to women

However, there are still significant barriers to women entering, and remaining in, the construction industry. A lack of flexible working hours and misperceptions about the technical ability of women is still a huge problem. For example, in 2015, 74% of women said they had experienced discrimination in the construction workplace, with 64% of these women stating this discrimination was in the form of inappropriate comments and behaviour directed at them by male co-workers.

Cultural revolution

Many in the industry believe that for these barriers to be overcome, the industry needs a ‘cultural revolution’ and that it is beginning to happen. As we’ve seen from the above statistics, change is happening, the Managing Director of Randstad Construction, Property and Engineering stated that any business that continues to exclude women from the workplace, either directly or indirectly, will feel the effects. He is quoted as saying the construction industry “is about laying the foundations of a prosperous future, so the industry can’t afford to be stuck in the past.”

It’s essential that as the industry begins to experience a rapid expansion, companies in the sector must take advantage of all the abilities available to them. Companies that recognise and work towards overcoming these barriers to women will have access to a larger pool of resources, and will be able to build a more diverse and effective workforce. It is these companies that will feel the overall benefits of a new climate of growth as the construction industry picks up pace in the coming years.

Building an effective workforce

As an employer in the construction industry there are steps you can take to ensure your recruitment practices don’t indirectly exclude women. Many companies use word of mouth to advertise jobs, especially in smaller communities, but by advertising in the right places, you will reach a new audience. Schools and colleges are the ideal hunting ground for apprentices and trainees, and training establishments can assist with helping you grow your workforce, finding the best candidates for the job, regardless of gender.

To find out more about apprenticeships or training your workforce, get in touch with the team at Health and Safety Training Ltd.