Women in Construction – The Future is Bright!
Construction has historically been an industry dominated by men; however, a recent report indicates that an increasing number of women are now moving into construction careers. The report found that between 2015 to 2019 the number of women in certain fields of construction grew more than 100%, a trend that must continue for businesses to reap the rewards of a more diverse workforce. Let’s look at some of the reasons why more women are entering the industry, and how a more inclusive workforce can benefit an organisation.
Competitive Salaries, Unlimited Career Opportunities, Job Security
Construction is gradually distancing itself from the old stereotype of dirty jobs and testosterone-fuelled work environments and is becoming a more appealing choice for people from all walks of life and educational backgrounds. Many candidates entering the workforce after graduation are drawn to the earn-while-you-learn-model allowing them to get a head start in their career without the threat of a mountain of additional debt.
From civil engineering to executive management there are unlimited opportunities for the right candidate, and as demand for women grows across the industry construction salaries are more competitive than ever. Construction always ranks highly on job security, and given that the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) Construction Skills Network, forecasts indicate that we can expect to see 168,500 construction jobs created between 2019 and 2023 — up from the 2018-2022 figure of 158,000, companies are looking to recruit more women than ever before to bring their skill sets into the field. In addition to this the demand for more infrastructure projects over the next 5 years could result in prolonged labour shortages making it a candidate’s market.
Creating Balance in The Construction Workforce
Although there is much work still to be done to increase diversity in the construction industry, this report by McKinsey & Co. reveals that companies with the highest gender-diversity are 25% more likely to achieve above-average profitability than companies with less diversity. With 2022 looking to be a year of growth for the industry, hiring more women is the best way to capitalise on that expansion.
One of the golden rules of construction recruitment is to cast your net wide to ensure that you have access to all the talent available. Of all the people working in construction, women comprise just 10.3%, and since women make up approx. 50% of all employed individuals in the UK this means that the construction industry is only benefitting from about 1.25% of women in the workforce.
To redress the balance construction firms must focus on finding the best talent regardless of gender. Encouraging more women to enter the construction industry is going to take a huge commitment that starts with companies and carries through to a federal level. Improving gender equality can start with something as simple as a conversation with women already working in the industry, promoting a supportive and inclusive work culture, and removing job related stereotypes once and for all. Only by promoting equality can we significantly expand the talent pool and find the best fit for the many exciting roles within the industry regardless of gender.
How Can We Help You?
Searching for an opportunity in the construction industry? Or are you a hiring manager in search of the top talent in the market today? Contact James Gray’s Recruitment’s team of industry experts to start the conversation. getus@jamesgrayrecruitment.com
