Women in construction

Women working in construction and engineering is on the increase. 37% of new entrants into the construction industry that came from higher education are women. .

Are there many women in construction?

Yes, but maybe not as many as there could be.
Women make up around 14% of construction industry professionals and this number is only set to rise with more and more women in construction and engineering jobs. Misconceptions about gender-specific roles are gradually diminishing with a growing number of women choosing a career in construction and engineering.

AIt is a common misconception about the construction industry that it is full of old-fashioned attitudes. There is still some work to do, but there are thousands of exceptionally talented female construction workers who are changing how women in construction are perceived.

“ Women have historically been underrepresented in every construction-related field of work and the general view that the industry is male-dominated has meant that women have been less likely to consider a career in construction. ”

What barriers do women in the construction industry face?

Historically believed to be a male-dominated industry, construction has experienced an overwhelming amount of male workers in the field. Over the decades, women have faced challenges and barriers preventing them from considering entering or progressing in the construction workforce.

When it comes to a career in construction, it is important to consider how the industry is represented to the public. Firstly, there isn't enough material available to young women and girls to promote construction as a real professional path.

The lack of visibility and female role models to encourage women to join the construction sector compounds the lack of new entrants, contributing to the labour shortage. According to Redrow, in 2024, 39% of young people believed construction was dominated by men, compared to 44% in 2020.

The failure to attract more women into the industry can be tackled by including more women in advertisements and increasing visibility to change the face of construction.

Having reached a record high in the second quarter of 2023, the number of women working in construction is slowly increasing and having an impact. Misconceptions about gender-specific roles are gradually diminishing with a growing number of women choosing a career in construction. The construction sector is working towards inclusivity and diversity and taking steps towards inclusivity.

Research from Redrow found that three in five (66%) young women already work in, have considered working in or are open to working in construction, up 17% from 2023. The increase in women entering the sector could be attributed to a rise in female role models. A greater representation of women in construction has meant that less people believe that the industry is male-dominated.

The Association of Construction Quality Professionals are pround to have Women members of our Association and we'll always work with them to become the best they can be.