Columnist

Building a more diverse construction sector

They say it’s a man’s world.

And in the construction industry, it is still largely the case.

Only 15 per cent of workers in the UK’s construction sector are female.

And when it comes to those actually working on sites, that number falls to just two per cent.

This must change.

As a training provider, we have helped thousands of young people gain qualifications to launch construction careers – roofers, joiners, bricklayers and more. 

Training them is what we do each day, so we know better than anyone that there is absolutely no reason why the sector should remain so male-dominated.

Because we aren't.

At Optimum Skills, our entire senior leadership team is female.

And most of our staff – including our senior leadership team – are women.

For us, diversity isn’t something we talk about. We live it.

Women in Construction Week, which ran between March 1 and March 7, provided an opportunity to celebrate the women shaping the future of one of the UK’s most vital industries.

Women like Poppy Orton.

Aged just 19, she’s already carving out a career in construction as an apprentice roofer.

She did it because, like a lot of young people, she was looking for something different from the traditional nine-to-five.

She wants hands-on work, a job that keeps her body fit while also working her mind.

There’s a stereotype that being on the tools is for those who can lift heavy things.

Yet construction jobs are as much mental as they are physical. 

For Poppy, one of her favourite aspects is problem-solving. If something doesn't quite fit, how can she make it do so?

But the reality is women like Poppy – for far too long – have had to find a way to try and fit in.

Women remain a statistical outlier. 

The fact there is even an event to celebrate women in construction is telling.

If something is truly equal, it doesn’t need a special week to prove it.

Hopefully, though, things are changing.

Poppy’s employer couldn’t be happier with her; they want more female staff like her.

Other companies we work with say the same. 

But young girls need to see and hear about Poppy and other success stories, such as Beth Carwardine.

She was one of our first female apprentices.

When she joined, she was admittedly shy.

But having built a successful career, she’s looking to supervise her own apprentice.

And Beth thrived because construction is about skill, precision, teamwork and resilience. Not gender.

So, if we are serious about tackling the UK’s construction skills shortage that has left us needing to fill 140,000 roles, we can’t afford to ignore half the population.

And we’re committed to continuing that work – because the industry depends on opening doors to everyone.

Diane Shakespeare is chief executive at Newton Aycliffe-headquartered Optimum Skills

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