Campaign group launches new programme to attract women into industry

A campaign group that aims to get more women working in the construction industry has launched a nationwide employment programme that could see more female builders take up roles as site managers on new housing developments.

Women Into Construction has joined forces with The Home Builders Federation (HBF) alongside major employers in the sector to attract more female builders.

These include Barratt Developments, Bellway Homes, Cala Homes, The Hill Group, Keepmoat, Persimmon Homes, Redrow, St. Modwen and Vistry Group.

Currently, just 16% of the construction workforce in the UK are female, while just 4% of site managers are female.

However, the ambitious Women Into Home Building programme aims to attract more women into site management roles, offering support with childcare and training costs in a bid to make the industry more accessible.

Jacqui Wordsworth, Women into Construction’s business development director says: “With women representing just 4% of site managers, we want to inspire and encourage more women to take up a career in home building – helping us and our employer partners to change the face of construction.”

Jenny Herdman, director for HBF’s Home Building Skills Partnership, adds attracting more women into the home building industry will help to address significant skills shortages in the sector.

“If we are to build the new housing this country desperately needs, it is vital that we attract a broad range of entrants into the industry,” she said.

“HBF is delighted to be working with Women into Construction to increase the number of female site managers in the industry and show that there are opportunities for people of all backgrounds and talents to develop a rewarding career in home building.”

The Women Into Home Building programme will include site visits to central locations, both in person and online.

A week of online insight and development sessions, to include question sessions with site managers and employers and employability and safety training will also be included in the programme, as well as a two-week work placement on a site.

The work placements will take place at employer sites across England, offering participants first-hand experience of the site manager role and how they could help the industry deliver much-needed homes.

One-to-one coaching and support from Women Into Construction will be offered throughout.

Women interested in this exciting opportunity can sign up to attend an online information session at 11am on Tuesday 31 January 2023. 

At this online event, they will learn more about the programme and meet the employers involved, including current Site Managers from across the country.

Click here for more information about the Women Into Home Building programme.