Despite decades of construction being a heavily male dominated industry, new research from premium housebuilder, Redrow, has revealed that the ‘boys only club’ perception is dwindling as 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 survey of 1,000 young adults found that it’s not just the potential high salary young women find appealing (39%), but also the opportunity to have a long-term career (26%) and the ability to set up their own business later down the line (25%). The increase in women entering the sector could be attributed to a rise in female role models. In fact, over two fifths (42%) of women surveyed want to work for a company that has female or LGBTQ leaders.
With financial fears a big worry for everyone, two in five (41%) 16–24-year-olds associate an apprenticeship with earning money while studying and not incurring student debt, highlighting the unbeatable financial benefit of this alternative educational route.
25 year old Kirsty Alley began her working life as a lifeguard before deciding that a career in carpentry was what she wanted to pursue. Having studied carpentry at her local college, Kirsty joined Redrow as an apprentice in August 2021. She’s now busy carving out a career that she loves.
Kirsty Alley said:
“Studying carpentry at college gave me great insight into the building process but it is my apprenticeship that has really taught me about the construction industry.
“Joining Redrow has given me a brilliant opportunity to learn while I earn; developing new skills and being part of a team. From the first fixing to erecting a roof on a new home, no two days are the same and I love how we all take such pride in our work. We’re building very high quality homes so the attention to detail is very impressive. I’ve got a job that keeps me active and gives me a real sense of achievement. I love it and I can’t wait to succeed in my career.”
Karen Jones, HR Director for Redrow, said,
“With such positive opportunities from this career choice, it’s no wonder that in this societal climate, women are bravely challenging the norm and exploring new industries altogether. The construction industry is such an exciting one to be in and there needs to be more women coming into the industry.
“To achieve this, there needs to be more education to promote the fact that construction doesn’t just mean being a bricklayer or out on site, there are so many opportunities for women to succeed, do well and make a difference to communities. As part of this, we are constantly looking for ways to make our workplace more inclusive, whether that's on site or office-based roles.”
Darryl Stewart, responsible for the National House Building Council's apprentice training programmes and hubs, said:
“ In recent years, house builders have found it more challenging to recruit people for a range of reasons. Historically, it’s an industry which has been perceived as being more male-dominated and currently it’s also facing an ageing workforce. This means we must find ways to encourage people from all walks of life to join the sector.
“It is an industry which offers a fantastic range of careers and an apprenticeship in the house building industry is a pathway into a rewarding and well-paid career that can make a real difference.”
Redrow has over 40 nationwide trade positions being released this year. To find out more, please visit: https://www.redrowplc.co.uk/apprentices/
