Women in Construction Events Inspire 250 Schoolgirls in Wales

MORE THAN 250 schoolgirls in Wales recently attended a series of events aiming to attract more women into the construction industry.

The events, hosted by CITB, took place earlier this month (7 July) at colleges in Swansea, Cardiff and Llangefni.

The students were given the opportunity to hear first-hand experiences of women currently in successful construction careers. These ranged from Senior Design Managers to Quantity Surveyors, as well as a Trainee Civil Engineer at the start of their career. The discussions covered what a typical day’s work is like and the routes taken to get to their positions.

The events gave the students a taste of what construction has to offer by allowing them to try their hand at different tasks, with employers hosting various activity sessions. These included exploring drone technology, a sustainable construction challenge and working at heights using a virtual reality headset. Activities also involved breaking down stereotypes of construction, using myth-busting games and signposting to the Go Construct website which provides resources for anyone looking for a career in the construction and built environment sector.

Women in Construction Events

The events also created a space for employers to connect with teachers, providing them with the necessary guidance to support students interested in a career in construction.

While the number of women working in construction is on the rise, women currently only make up around 14% of construction industry professionals. With its recent Construction Skills Network report stating that an additional 225,000 workers are needed to meet demand by 2027, CITB says it is crucial that efforts are focused on encouraging more women into the industry.

Julia Stevens, CITB engagement director for Wales, said: “I am extremely passionate about us getting out and speaking directly to young girls about construction careers, which is why these events are an annual occurrence at CITB. The construction industry has a reputation for being muddy, manual, and male, making it extremely important that we convey how much the industry has to offer. There’s a wealth of exciting and rewarding opportunities waiting to be explored and they’re certainly not just for men!

“In the current climate, and with the way construction roles are progressing and evolving, the reality is that we need people with a diverse range of skills to fill these roles. It’s essential that we start attracting people from a wider range of backgrounds, so that we can recruit from a wider talent pool. I’m delighted with the turnout of this year’s events and look forward to continuing the conversations and work around this subject.”

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