International Women’s Day UK 2024: The Sector Has Come A Long Way But There Is Still Further To Go

International Women’s Day UK 2024: The Sector Has Come A Long Way But There Is Still Further To Go

This year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) falls on Friday 8th March 2024. 10 years ago in 2014, International Women’s Day, also on 8th March, as always, took the theme of ‘equality for women is progress for all’. This year’s IWD is a good opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come in terms of that vision in the UK construction sector over the past decade, and where further improvements can be made.

2014-2024: How Opportunities For Women Have Changed In The Construction Industry

The UK construction industry in 2024 is still overwhelmingly male dominated. However, through the efforts of pioneering female professionals, business owners and directors in the sector, and their allies, the industry is now a far more diverse and welcoming place for women entering the sector at all levels, with a range of opportunities that could scarcely have been imagined a decade or more ago.

Increased Workforce Participation

Women now make up around 14% to 16% of the total construction workforce across the UK, an improvement on 11% just three years ago in 2021. Clearly there is a long way to go before we reach gender parity in the sector, and we shouldn’t forget that most of these women work in office-based roles, with only 2% of site workers being female. However, female workforce participation in the UK is higher than some other developed countries, including the USA (11%) Germany, Italy, and Spain (each 9%), and the employment rate for women in construction continues to rise year by year.

Higher Education Entry

The number of women entering the construction industry in professional roles directly from higher education has increased, with women now representing 37% of new entrants. This is a huge validation of the efforts over the past decade to encourage more women into STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) training and qualifications, in order to pursue influential and well-paid careers in the sector.

Management Roles

There has been a steady uptick in the number of women entering construction management and executive roles across the country, with research indicating a 9% increase between 2018 and 2021. Of the women currently working in the industry, 16% occupy executive roles, although only 2% are company owners or CEOs.

The Benefits Of Gender Diversity

the increased gender diversity in the construction sector has improved productivity, performance, and morale in workplaces and sites across the UK, with benefits for both female and male employees. Although women still face various barriers and negative attitudes within the sector, as well as a gender pay gap that needs to be bridged, the industry is, in general, becoming a far more welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for people of all backgrounds.

Next Steps

For more information about the steps being taken to strengthen opportunities for women and female participation in the industry, visit the UK site of the National Association of Women in Construction.

Image Source: Canva