Fostering a Gender-Balanced Construction Industry

Lechley Associates

Building a More Diverse Workforce

A woman is standing in front of a brick wall holding a sign that says fostering a gender balanced construction industry

Introduction: Building a More Diverse Workforce

A primary focus within the construction sector is to reshape outdated preconceptions and dismantle the one-dimensional image often associated with the industry. An increasing number of women are opting for careers in construction, a field traditionally dominated by men. The sector is home to thousands of exceptionally talented female construction professionals advancing to senior positions. Ensuring equal opportunities and promoting a more gender-equal workforce is paramount. The goal is for future generations to recognise that the construction process encompasses a wide array of roles beyond on-site work and to normalise the presence and leadership of women across all facets of the industry.

To this end, collaborations with educational institutions, including schools and colleges, are vital. These partnerships aim to showcase the diverse opportunities construction offers to younger generations. Technology has significantly transformed the industry, demanding highly qualified individuals, both men and women, to deliver complex and innovative projects.

Pathways into Construction: Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship programmes offer an excellent route into a construction career. Many organisations within the sector provide apprenticeships across a variety of disciplines. Common areas include:

Construction and Site Management
Quantity Surveying
Building Services
Architecture
Information Technology
Business and Administration
Supply Chain Management

Prospective candidates are encouraged to inquire about specific interests, as new programmes and specialisations are continually being developed and approved.

Core Mission: Industry Aspirations

Industry-wide programmes and activities are generally focused on:

Adding tangible value to local communities.
Inspiring and motivating individuals to achieve their potential.
Cultivating a positive and accurate perception of the construction industry.

"With the skills shortage and the great opportunities out there, it’s a great time to be joining the industry. A career in surveying brings you opportunities to travel to work on interesting projects whilst meeting great people and learning something new every day." - An Industry Professional

Perspectives from Women in Construction

Early Careers:

Sarah, a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, is pursuing a five-year degree apprenticeship in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management, which combines four days of work with one day at university. This learn-while-you-earn model suits her, allowing progression based on hard work and practical experience. The dynamic nature of the job, with its constant evolution as a build progresses, initially attracted Sarah to the construction sector. She highlights that the industry offers new and unique opportunities and is constantly embracing technological advancements. Whilst acknowledging it's a fast-paced environment, Sarah finds it highly rewarding.

When asked about being a woman in construction, Sarah stated: "It’s about being confident enough to use your skill set and knowledge to make the right decisions and listen to others’ thoughts and ideas, giving and receiving respect. Once you can do this on a job site, then you earn respect as a professional regardless of your gender."

Olivia, another Trainee Quantity Surveyor, entered the construction industry in 2018 after taking a gap year following sixth form. Unsure of her career path post A-Levels, research led her to Quantity Surveying. The prospect of working full-time whilst studying part-time for a degree appealed to her, enabling her to gain direct experience in her career whilst her learning was supplemented by lectures and modules taught by industry professionals.

Olivia observes: "No two days are the same in this industry and you can never predict what will happen. One hour you’re at your desk on excel and the next you’re on site with your PPE on discussing construction procedures." She also adds: "Being a woman in the construction industry is not a challenge for me at all. I have never been fazed by gender when it comes to pursuing something."

Working on Site:

Chloe, a Technical Information Manager involved in major projects, has over a decade of experience in construction. She believes there's a common misconception that construction skills are confined to manual labour or traditionally 'male roles', which she asserts is far from reality. Construction skills, she explains, are diverse, encompassing technical expertise alongside soft skills like team building, and managing people and resources. Construction means managing a complex project with a fixed budget and a set deadline, using technologies and digital efficiencies that can then be applied to other sectors. Being part of a team that leaves a legacy behind which can be enjoyed by others and remains beyond her lifetime is what Chloe loves the most about her role. Chloe studied a BA in Linguistics and BSc in Management Studies, as well as completing several industry-specific technical courses throughout her career.

Chloe acknowledges that being a woman in construction has sometimes proven a challenge, however, she acknowledges that every working environment has its own trials. "Exposure to what is different, perseverance and knowledge make every environment less daunting," she said.

Senior Roles:

Sophie, a Design Director with over 25 years of experience in the industry, was drawn to architecture from a young age, often sketching buildings and landscapes. Being in the construction industry allows Sophie to create amazing buildings and spaces, from award-winning residences to museum galleries, from someone’s initial thought or sketch. "I’m the one who gets to bring it to life." With a degree in Construction Engineering Management, Sophie has worked in the construction industry since graduating. She started off as an assistant project manager on a graduate training programme and after three years became a package manager. From this, Sophie moved to a company specialising in high-end residential projects, working as a design manager, building luxury residential projects. Following recession, Sophie moved back to ‘mainstream construction’, working on a number of central London offices and hotels, developing the design with architects and engineers.

She believes the challenges you face in the industry are the same whether male or female. "Being a woman can sometimes be an advantage," Sophie notes. "You bring a different dimension and it’s easy to make yourself heard as the only female in the room." She further reflects: "Construction is the process of making a meaningful whole out of many parts to create a lasting legacy – I am lucky enough to be at the centre of this process."

Starting a Career in Construction

Individuals with the talent to succeed and the desire to work with us are encouraged to research companies directly, explore industry-specific career portals, and contact professional bodies for information on available opportunities and guidance.

Build Your Future

The construction industry is evolving, dynamic, and offers a breadth of rewarding career paths for talented individuals from all backgrounds. If you are looking for a challenging and impactful career where you can contribute to building the future, now is the time to explore what construction has to offer.

Students and School Leavers: Investigate apprenticeship programmes, speak to careers advisors about construction-related qualifications, and attend industry open days.
Career Changers: Your existing skills and experience can be highly valuable. Research roles that align with your expertise and explore conversion courses or retraining opportunities.
Industry Professionals: Continue to champion diversity and inclusion within your organisations. Mentor newcomers and advocate for a more balanced and representative workforce.

Together, we can continue to build an industry that is innovative, inclusive, and attractive to all. Your skills, perspective, and ambition are needed. Explore a career in construction today.

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The Bricks and Mortar of Discontent: Unravelling the UK's Housing Crisis "The UK’s listed housebuilders are on track to build the fewest new homes for sale in a decade, as planning rules and high mortgage rates hold the market back despite the new Labour government’s push to increase housing supply." (Construction sector, UK’s Listed Builders on Track to Build Fewest New Houses in a Decade) The UK faces a persistent and complex housing crisis. While successive governments have pledged to increase housing supply, the reality consistently falls short of ambition. The opening statement, "The UK’s listed housebuilders are on track to build the fewest new homes for sale in a decade, as planning rules and high mortgage rates hold the market back despite the new Labour government’s push to increase housing supply," encapsulates the multifaceted nature of this challenge. It highlights the critical interplay of planning regulations, economic factors, and governmental policy, all contributing to a slowdown in housebuilding. This essay will delve into these interconnected issues, exploring the complexities of the UK’s housing market and the obstacles hindering the construction of much-needed homes. One of the most significant constraints on housebuilding is the intricate and often cumbersome planning system. Obtaining planning permission can be lengthy and arduous, fraught with bureaucratic hurdles and local opposition. Developers often face significant delays, adding to costs and discouraging investment. This bottleneck in the planning system acts as a substantial impediment to increasing housing supply, regardless of government initiatives. Under pressure from residents concerned about overdevelopment and the impact on local infrastructure, local authorities often resist new housing projects. This "NIMBYism" (Not In My Back Yard) creates a significant obstacle, even when central government pushes for increased building targets. The result is a system where local concerns and bureaucratic red tape often thwart good intentions. Coupled with planning constraints, economic factors play a crucial role in shaping the housing market. High mortgage rates, as highlighted in the opening statement, significantly impact affordability and dampen demand. When borrowing becomes more expensive, potential homebuyers are less able to secure mortgages, reducing the number of people actively looking to purchase property. This, in turn, discourages developers from building new homes as the demand for their products decreases. Furthermore, economic uncertainty, such as that caused by inflation or recessionary fears, can further exacerbate the problem. Developers become more cautious and hesitant to invest in new projects with an uncertain economic outlook. This creates a vicious cycle, where high mortgage rates and economic instability lead to reduced demand and decreased housebuilding, ultimately contributing to the housing shortage. The role of government policy is also pivotal, albeit often paradoxical. While the current Labour government has strongly committed to increasing housing supply, as noted in the opening statement, translating this ambition into concrete results is proving challenging. As highlighted in the context of the Labour government’s housebuilding ambitions, the reliance on migrant workers to address the skills gap within the construction sector underscores the difficulty of achieving targets without a robust domestic workforce. This raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such an approach and the need for investment in training and skills development within the UK. The government's aim to ignite a "housebuilding boom" is laudable, but achieving it requires more than just political will. It necessitates a comprehensive strategy that addresses the underlying issues of planning constraints, economic factors, and skills shortages. The skills deficit within the construction industry presents another significant hurdle. The urgent need for 250,000 new workers to meet current project demands and an additional 159,000 to hit government targets, as highlighted in one document, illustrates the scale of the problem. The slow pace of training new workers under current models makes it difficult to bridge this gap. Without a sufficient workforce, construction projects will be delayed or even abandoned even if planning permission is granted and mortgage rates are favourable. This skills shortage acts as a bottleneck, restricting the industry's capacity to deliver the required number of homes. The government's initiatives to address this issue, such as the planned 5,000 new apprenticeships, are a step in the right direction. Still, more comprehensive reforms are needed to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers. The gap between policy ambitions and practical constraints is a recurring theme. The expectation that the housing sector will build significantly less than needed to meet Labour’s aim of 1.5 million homes over five years highlights this disconnect. It underscores the fact that simply setting ambitious targets is not enough. Achieving these targets requires a concerted effort to address the systemic challenges hindering housebuilding. This includes streamlining the planning process, creating a more stable economic environment, and investing in skills training to ensure a sufficient workforce. Without addressing these fundamental issues, government targets risk remaining just aspirations. Furthermore, the construction industry's challenges extend beyond housebuilding to infrastructure projects. As mentioned in one highlight, the anticipated increase in infrastructure delivery post-2024 faces similar constraints. The capacity to bring these projects to fruition is hampered by the economic and structural challenges affecting housebuilding. This interconnectedness between housing and infrastructure highlights the need for a holistic approach to addressing the construction sector's challenges. A piecemeal approach, focusing solely on housing or infrastructure in isolation, is unlikely to be effective. In conclusion, the UK’s housing crisis is a complex issue with no easy solutions. The interplay of planning regulations, economic factors, skills shortages, and government policy creates a challenging environment for housebuilders. While the government's stated aim of increasing housing supply is commendable, achieving this goal requires more than just setting targets. It necessitates a fundamental planning system reform, a focus on creating a stable economic environment conducive to investment, and a commitment to developing a skilled workforce within the construction industry. Until these underlying issues are addressed, the UK will continue grappling with a housing crisis with far-reaching social and economic consequences. The bricks and mortar of new homes are not just physical structures; they represent opportunity, security, and the foundation for a thriving society. Unlocking the potential of the housing market requires a concerted and coordinated effort from all stakeholders, ensuring that the ambition to build a better future is not just a dream but a tangible reality.