Proud to be a Women in Construction Ambassador

Kerrie Baggs, of Exe Valley Environmental, is thrilled to share that she is a Women in Construction Ambassador. The Women in Construction Ambassador programme is a powerful platform for trailblazers who are transforming the construction industry from within, by promoting diversity and inclusion in the built environment.

How many women work in construction?

As of 2023, only 15% of the construction workforce is female, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), external. However, according to the Go Construct article on ‘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.

Why does the construction industry need more women?

Women bring a wide range of skills that benefit employers and enrich the construction industry. Like any team, the inclusion of individuals with varied perspectives and approaches to problem-solving, and providing a place for people to work together effectively, can lead to remarkable achievements.

How can we draw more women into construction?

Encouraging more women into careers in construction at an early age will go some way towards tackling the skills shortage. Starting early with role modelling women in construction can provide younger females real life knowledge and understanding of the rewards involved in working in the construction industry, and help to bury the traditional viewpoints.

The Construction Industry Training Board support the construction industry to have a skilled, competent and inclusive workforce, now and in the future and provide valuable training. They also provide Women in Construction events, the most recent of which took place at three different colleges across Wales and were attended by more than 250 schoolgirls. More information on this event and others can be found here.

The Governments Department for Education are working with industry leaders to help more people access high-quality training careers in construction. These include: T Levels, apprenticeships and Skills Bootcamps. More can be found on the Education Hub blog here.

Where can women working in construction meet?

London Build works with an amazing team of Women in Construction Ambassadors who are furthering equality in the built environment. The UK's largest networking event for Women in Construction takes place at London Build each year. This year the London Build Expo takes place on the 15th and 16th November, and the Women in Construction meet takes place at 14:30 – 16:30 on the 16th November. Better yet, it’s free.

You can sign up to the event here https://www.londonbuildexpo.com/women-in-construction