What it's REALLY like for women working in the construction industry
Women in Construction Week celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. This year we are highlighting the stories and successes of our staff, partners, suppliers, and customers. We asked each of them a series of 3 questions, delving into the pros and the improvements that can be made to encourage more women into considering a career in construction.
Below you will find all of the wonderful women we spoke to:
Bio
Suzannah is the Chief Executive of Build UK, the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry.
Inspired by a site visit during a week’s work experience, she achieved a degree in Construction Management before starting her career as a site engineer. She then qualified as a health and safety professional before taking over the reins at the National Specialist Contractors’ Council. After 13 years leading the specialist sector, Suzannah was the driving force behind the merger to form Build UK in 2016, bringing the industry together within one organisation. Under her leadership, Build UK is at the forefront of improving business performance, increasing productivity and recruiting, training and retaining talent across the industry.
By benchmarking payment terms Build UK has improved payment days across the sector and it introduced the Common Assessment Standard to improve the process of pre-qualification saving the industry up to £1 billion each year. Build UK played a significant role during Covid by publishing Site Operating Procedures which kept the industry open throughout every lockdown.
A passionate advocate for construction, Suzannah is recognised and respected for her work with government, media and key industry stakeholders. She was awarded an MBE in 2005, was one of the first Timewise Power Part-Timers, is a member of the Construction Leadership Council the Women’s Business Council, the new Building Advisory Committee that advises the Building Safety Regulator. She is also a non-executive director of CSCS Ltd and B&CE Holdings Ltd.
Why would you encourage women to consider a career in construction?
There is such a range of roles across the industry you can do pretty much anything from being on the front line of a construction site to negotiating with clients, managing wellbeing to developing a website – all in a dynamic and exciting environment that is extremely rewarding as you are part of creating the built environment in which we all live and work.
What is your experience of the construction industry as a woman?
My personal experience has been great, and I love working in construction. I have had several very different roles and there have been so many opportunities along the way - I could have pursued any number of careers. It can be a ‘tough’ environment and it is certainly hard work but the industry is also made of up some really good people who have gone out of their way to help and support me along the way.
What would you suggest employers in the construction industry can do to encourage more women into the businesses?
There are several ways to encourage more women into the industry, but here are a few things that I feel would make all the difference.
One, I would say be open to flexible working. That doesn't just mean part-time or working from home – it means looking at what would suit all parties that would enable a great employee to manage their work, and out-of-work, responsibilities.
Two, create a fair working environment, this means the basics such as making sure there is equal pay and benefits, having honest conversations on performance along with support and equal training so that women can do things differently and develop.
Even down to ensuring that social events like Golf Days, rounds at the pub, and black tie events are not required for important conversations, promotions and are the only opportunities for information and support. By the very nature of these environments, it can put women at an unfair disadvantage.
Three, provide suitable PPE and facilities for women. One of the simplest to achieve (and for some reason still an issue…). Many employers still provide men’s small PPE, which is ill-fitting, uncomfortable, and can make it difficult to do your job and there are often no suitable women’s facilities on site. These are very basic requirements and it is unbelievable that we are still having to talk about them.
Women can be incredibly strong and resilient but most of us do not perform at our best in an unequal and draining environment. Neither do men, but they often stay and suffer – women will just leave–taking all the good things they bring to the workplace, including increased profitability, with them.
Citrus Training became a member of Build UK in 2021 and since then we have worked closely with the organisation to look at and find ways to improve the provision of training in the construction sector, supporting recruitment and retention of talent.
Bio
My name is Victoria Roe and I am an electrical foreman for Durham County Council. I currently look after a team of 6 Electricians and 2 apprentices, working on various commercial projects throughout County Durham.
At present, I am managing a project within a primary school which consists of a full rewire to the school and a new heating system. I promote and maintain health and safety, including site inspections to ensure safety rules are being followed. I regularly meet with clients, third parties, and other managers to report on the progress of the job. I also ensure the project is delivered on time and on budget by setting benchmarks, as well as dealing with any unexpected problems that occur during the project.
I am also involved in a new build project, consisting of a three-story office development that will be part of Durham County Council’s new headquarters.
I first came into the industry at the age of 20 when I applied for an electrical apprenticeship. I have always been a very hands-on creative person and quickly realised after leaving school that I wasn’t suited to an office job. I completed a 4-year apprenticeship with Durham County Council and gained valuable experience in both commercial and domestic settings. In 2015 an opportunity to gain extra training as a pool foreman arose which I expressed an interest in, this enabled me to go on to gain my Level 3 occupational work supervision, NEBOSH qualification, and CITB in site management safety. In 2017 a job became available as an Electrical Foreman, and I was successful in the interview. I have been in this role for 5 years now and have recently joined an apprenticeship program with Citrus Training to gain a Level 6 NVQ in Construction Contracting Operations Management.
As well as being an Electrical Foreman, outside of work I am a proud mum to my 3 year old little girl, we enjoy going on plenty of adventures together during the weekends with our little dog, and I even manage to fit in a few hobbies too including some sewing and dressmaking as I am still very much a girly girl outside of work.
Why would you encourage women to consider a career in construction?
I would encourage women to consider a career within the construction industry because of the unique and rewarding opportunities it provides. You can gain practical hands-on experience which cannot be experienced from a classroom-based setting and an opportunity to meet and work with a large amount of varied, diverse people. There are also loads of opportunities available to progress within your career whilst earning a good wage without shouldering the debt of university fees.
More women in construction will help to change outdated perspectives and cultures within the industry and bring forward new skill sets and ways of thinking.
What is your experience of the construction industry as a woman?
My experience within the construction industry as a female has been a very positive one. I have not been treated any differently to my male team members and I have been given the same opportunities to progress as others.
As an apprentice I felt as if I had to prove myself, being a female in a male-dominated environment, so I put a lot more time and effort into my college work and tried to really apply myself on site to make a good impression. I think that attitude set me up for a positive career, as once people see that you are willing to learn they are usually more than happy to help and teach you what they know.
Even within my current job role now as an Electrical Foreman, some subcontractors are often still surprised to see a female on site, especially if I am running my own project, however when they realise I am approachable, confident and competent at my job they soon treat me the same as everyone else.
What would you suggest employers in the construction industry can do to encourage more women into their businesses?
In order to encourage more females into the construction industry I believe employers should visit schools to inspire children from a young age. During my time at school everything was focused on going to university with the belief that if you didn’t get the grades needed to attend university, the construction industry was a backup option. If employers visited schools and showcased the jobs and opportunities available with the option for children to ask questions and acknowledge the practical skills they would gain, it would encourage a lot more people, especially women, into the industry.
Whilst working as an electrician I undertook a multi-skills training course which consisted of gaining a basic understanding and completing practical demonstrations of various other trades, for example, plumbing in a bathtub and sink basin, plastering a small wall and tiling a worktop splashback. If an opportunity like this was offered to children within secondary education, I believe it would inspire many others to become highly skilled and talented tradespeople.
Bio
Being the daughter of a sheet metal worker and coded welder for the fire service (my dad), I suppose I was always destined for a life within the engineering field. I remember from an early age being taught how to weld and fix bumps and scrapes on cars which as a teenager learning to drive did come in handy, which may say more about my driving at that time than anything else.
Technology and science sparked my interest at school and followed me in to my career. Eventually I found myself at Linde Gas UK where I ran the customer service department. I moved in to sales and continued to develop my interest for everything engineering.
Fast forward a few years (perhaps too many to include) and I was approached by Crowcon Gas Detection Instruments. Having been familiar with gas detection from working within the gas industry I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. I have never looked back. I have since grown the team from 1 sales person to 11 with projects ranging from Food and Beverage to Hydrogen Power systems.
Why would you encourage women to consider a career in construction?
The industry is incredibly diverse, with so many areas to choose from. Every day offers a new experience or learning opportunity adding to the very fabric of my career. Personally, I enjoy meeting new people, all of which are so enthusiastic about what they do. I can't help but feel that their wisdom is contagious.
What is your experience of the construction industry as a woman?
I have had many great experiences when working specifically within the construction industry, but my favourite time came when I was asked to support for the “Step up week” held by London Cross Rail along with Laing O’Rourkes. I supported on one of their wellbeing days, followed in the footsteps of Frank Bruno who attended the day prior. I spoke with each group on one of the main sections of rail way and met with many of the engineers including lots of women who had entered the industry. I met engineers, welders, crane drivers, architects and safety teams. The teams talked about everything openly. The women explained how they and been encouraged to pursue their careers and changes to things such as PPE and maternity PPE has helped them to be included within the industry that was once a challenge to break into. The construction industry has embraced the requirements of women to help them do their jobs, do them well and most of all enjoy and succeed in their chosen career paths. I was very proud when I received my certificate from Cross Rail for “Step up” week.
What would you suggest employers in the construction industry can do to encourage more women into their businesses?
The companies that I have personally worked with within construction all tend to have very solid mental health strategies. This includes their wellbeing policies. I have always been impressed with how detailed these have been. I believe this helps to encourage the inclusivity and diversity of a company opening up opportunities to a far wider audience.
To further this, I'd like to see more done at the education level where schools can be included in talks and discussions, taking those from the construction industry to present at schools. I believe that this will continue to pull down the barriers at an earlier stage in life, demonstrating to everyone the wonderful opportunities that are available within construction & engineering.
Our sister company, Altitude Safety, works very closely with Crowcon and Debbie, supplying gas detection solutions.
Bio
I’m currently a site manager on clean water (construction) at Morrison Water Services, previously worked on waste water (maintenance) so have experience from both. I came into the industry as an office manager but have gained so much practical skill and knowledge since then, I can gladly say I made the most of each opportunity.
Why would you encourage women to consider a career in construction?
Construction has so many elements, women have great skill sets that can be applied just as easily to construction as any other industry.
What is your experience of the construction industry as a woman?
I have worked with fantastic men and women in both sectors and have faced different perceptions and assumptions on multiple sites but have always found a way to work and the right teams to help positively accomplish goals.
What would you suggest employers in the construction industry can do to encourage more women into their businesses?
Hiring women in leadership positions allows for role models in the industry, most people can’t be what they can’t see. Make it easier for women to imagine themselves progressing and they will.
Sara recently completed our City and Guilds confined space 6160-03 course at our Leeds venue, with much praise from the trainer on her knowledge and professionalism.
Bio
After working 13 years in the LPG Renewables industry supplying LPG to No Mains Gas areas covering Construction, Commercial and Residential sectors, I joined Altitude Safety (A Citrus Group Company) for a new challenge. My current role as Safety Solutions Manager covering the North gives me the opportunity to visit a plethora of different customers and meet a lot of different people from construction, utilities, water and telecommunications companies, bringing critical safety solutions to them as well as broadening my knowledge of critical safety equipment such as Gas Detection, Working at Heights, Confined Spaces & Rescue, Cable Locating & Detection.
Why would you encourage women to consider a career in construction?
It’s an ever-growing industry where no two days are the same. The construction industry offers a vast range of careers from management to surveying, civil engineering to bricklaying. The construction industry is facing a skills shortage and women bring a wide range of skills that benefit employers and enrich the construction industry.
Different projects introduce new skills and technology so even though it’s a cliché, every day is a learning day. This industry, as many others, offers something new each day, new ideas and a chance to meet new people from all walks of life along with being part of amazing teams, I am super proud to represent our company and the satisfaction of helping another person or company is fab.
What is your experience of the construction industry as a woman?
For me the industry has developed vastly over the last decade, mindsets have changed and are continuing to change. From my first visits to sites where people were unsure how to engage with a woman and would acknowledge my male colleagues before me, I remember on one occasion the client I was visiting actually walked past me to shake the hand of the man I was with. To the visits I attend now where my knowledge and approach are welcomed, appreciated, and gained credibility. However, there is still room for improvement on the PPE for women, when on-site, I am regularly still given men’s PPE to wear.
What would you suggest employers in the construction industry can do to encourage more women into their businesses?
I think that the construction industry needs to encourage businesses to take on board the fundamentals of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion with the need to engage with women from a young age. Especially being involved with schools and colleges highlighting the vast range of opportunities in extremely interesting and varied roles.
Bio
Went into Engineering as an apprentice, back in the 80s! Inspired by dad who was an aircraft engineer with the fleet air arm and later a toolmaker. Following various roles in engineering, I came to Crowcon after a career break (ran my own business researching family trees, whilst at home raising 3 daughters).
Following a few years in Crowcon’s technical support team I moved across to sales, specifying fixed gas detection systems, which involves working with various stakeholders across different industries, and have expanded my knowledge by studying project management and CompEx courses. My role has some cross over into the construction industry as we often specify detection for new sites, and this involves working with the stakeholders, project managers, and other trades on site. And we work closely with our electrical installers.
Why would you encourage women to consider a career in construction?
Because it’s interesting, challenging, and fulfilling, especially when seeing a project through from concept to completion.
What is your experience of the construction industry as a woman?
It’s not unusual to be the only woman at a meeting or round a table, but I think people take you seriously once they realise you know what you are talking about. When I started my training, I was one woman among about 100 male apprentices – I ended up marrying one – now the industry is more diverse, and I’m encouraged to see more young women entering the industry. Getting PPE to fit can still be a bit of a challenge though!
What would you suggest employers in the construction industry can do to encourage more women into their businesses?
Support women who want to come back into the industry after having children. Also, challenge the stereotypes.
Our sister company, Altitude Safety, works very closely with Crowcon and Debbie, supplying gas detection solutions.
If you would like more information on how to get into and build a career in the construction industry, get in touch and we will be happy to advise you. Email [email protected]
We are aware that throughout the interviews there are common themes around the lack of exposure of the construction industry in schools. If you are reading this and feel inspired to do more and offer different opportunities to students. Get in touch, we would love to support you in any way we can to promote the industry at grass level. Email [email protected]
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