Prime Highlights

• The Federation of Master Builders is marking Women in Construction Week by encouraging building firms to create more opportunities and supportive workplaces for women.
• Industry leaders say the construction sector must attract more women at every level, from apprentices and site workers to management and leadership roles.

Key Facts

• Women currently make up only about 4% of the construction workforce in the UK, showing the need for greater inclusion in the sector.
• Data from the Office for National Statistics shows the number of tradeswomen in the UK rose by 41% between 2006 and 2021, reaching around 48,000.

Background:

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has marked this year’s Women in Construction Week by urging the construction industry to open more opportunities for women and create workplaces that are more inclusive and supportive.

Running from March 2 to 8, the awareness week highlights the contributions of women working across the construction sector, from apprentices who are just beginning their careers to senior professionals helping to shape the future of the industry. The FMB said the initiative also serves as a reminder that more efforts are needed to ensure women have greater access to roles in construction.

Women make up only about 4 percent of the construction workforce in the UK. The Federation of Master Builders has asked small building companies to review how they hire, train, and support women. The group believes better access to training and more welcoming workplaces could encourage more women to join the sector.

However, some progress is being seen. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the number of tradeswomen in the UK grew by 41 percent between 2006 and 2021, reaching about 48,000. In addition, the number of women starting construction and engineering apprenticeships grew by 73 percent between 2019 and 2022, reflecting a rising interest among young women in hands-on careers.

Lauren Daniel, a business development apprentice at London-based McLaughlin Decorating, said she chose a career in construction because she prefers practical learning instead of going to university. She said she is the first person in her family to work in construction and encouraged young women to follow their interests even though the industry is largely male-dominated.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said construction remains one of the most skilled and varied industries in the country but still struggles to attract women. He emphasized that the sector needs female representation at every level, from site work and office roles to leadership positions.

Annie Summun, a national board representative at the Federation of Master Builders, said she entered the construction industry later in her career. She explained that skills from other professions, such as communication and problem-solving, are also useful in construction.