Women represent just 13 percent of the workforce in the construction sector, significantly lagging the 50:50 gender split that makes up the total UK workforce.
To continue raising awareness of this divide and develop the careers of women already in the industry, Mabey has today announced it is supporting Construction News’ ‘Inspire Me’ campaign. The initiative aims to celebrate the careers of women in the construction industry and empower them with the knowledge and confidence to advance their careers to senior positions. In turn, this will also be key to driving more women into the industry.
The campaign, which launches today, will include four major networking and mentoring events across the UK – two in London, one in Birmingham and one in Manchester. These events will offer attendees the opportunity to network, attend workshops and be inspired by women who have advanced their careers in a traditionally ‘muck and bullets’ industry.
With Willmott Dixon as headline partner, Mabey is joined by Randstad, Trad Group and the NASC in actively supporting the initiative to inspire women into the industry as future leaders, which will in turn help to improve the sector’s ability to succeed.
Juliette Stacey, Mabey’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “When talented people from different backgrounds come together, including an equal balance of genders, it creates a more positive, powerful working environment, helping to deliver projects more quickly, safely and efficiently.
“We can’t shy away from the fact that female representation is an issue in our industry. By 2022, Mabey is committed to making sure at least 30% of employees are representative of a minority group, and at least 30% of senior managers are female. There is still a very long way to go, but by working together, celebrating construction and showcasing the diverse and innovative careers it offers, women in the industry will be empowered to take their careers to the highest level.
