National Women in Construction Week promotes the crucial role women play in the building industry. The annual initiative, led by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), takes place between March 1st and 7th.
Throughout the week, thousands of professionals throughout the UK will come together for a range of industry and social events designed to highlight the importance of diversity, equity, and opportunity in shaping the built environment.
Women account for approximately 15% of the UK construction workforce. This figure, which equates to circa 340,000 employees, includes roles in design, management, administration, surveying, architecture and engineering. On construction sites, women represent about 1% of the manual workforce. Therefore, women remain the sector’s most untapped demographic – an issue that must be addressed in order to fill the current skilled labour shortage.
The gender imbalance is beginning to level-out in terms of trainees. A record number of females started a UK construction apprenticeship in 2024/25. This constituted a total of 2,630 female entrants, and a 9% increase on the previous year’s intake.
Challenging perceptions through inclusive and diverse recruitment
As an employer with a long-established commitment to operating a diverse and inclusive recruitment policy, leading commericlal waterproofing and roofing specialist BriggsAmasco is attuned to the need for women to become a more impactful presence in the construction workplace.
Rebecca Lawther, Briggs Amasco’s Head of HR and Training, said the perception of construction as a mainly male domain remains a barrier to more women entering the industry and making their mark.
Rebecca, who joined the company in 2006 and is based at its head office in Cradley Heath, Birmingham, said: “I think there is still an element of unconscious bias against women when being considered for leadership roles in the building sector. Unfounded concerns that they may not be mentally strong enough to deal with the competitive and tough nature of the business, and that they may let emotions get the better of them, remain prevalent in the industry. BriggsAmasco has long refuted that notion. The company has several women in strong, important, lead positions – myself included – who are walking, talking examples to all within the business that women can more than handle leadership roles.”
BriggsAmasco implements a comprehensive training programme to support the personal and professional development of female apprentices and employees. These range from NVQs in construction leadership to CIPD courses in Human Resources, Learning & Development, and online Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training.
Rebecca said adopting a ‘robust’ EDI policy was particularly important in eradicating the conception that women aren’t physically or mentally built for a career in construction.
She added: “Businesses and the building industry as a whole could be doing more to highlight success stories of women who have broken barriers and shown they have a place within the sector.”
Student engagement and promoting the benefits of a building career
The building industry needs to recruit 50,000 pesonnel a year to fulfil future building projects. Closer engagement with schools and colleges will be key to meeting that target. BriggsAmasco is further strengthening its ties with students through the ‘Developing the Young Workforce’ (DYW) scheme in Scotland. It includes hosting a careers engagement course featuring mock job interviews to help youngsters prepare for the recruitment process.
With unprecedented demand for skilled labour, there has never been a better time to join the construction industry. Good job security, competitive pay and an occupation that’s as varied as it is fulfilling; there is much to recommend a building career at any level.
For women already committed to the building profession, Rebecca Lawther advised: “Believe in yourself and your ability at all times. You do not have to go out of your way to prove yourself. Let your knowledge, experience, and work ethic do the talking.”
For more information on National Women in Construction Week, click here
