The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is shining the spotlight on women in construction from young apprentices just starting out – to those shaping the sector at the very top -to mark this year’s UK Women in Construction Week (2-8th March).
Women represent just 4% of the construction workforce in the UK. The FMB is calling on small building companies to consider how they can make their workplaces more welcoming, visible and accessible to women.
The initiative comes as new data reveals encouraging signs of progress. According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of tradeswomen in the UK grew 41% between 2006 and 2021, reaching 48,000. The number of women taking construction and engineering apprenticeships rose by 73% between 2019 and 2022.
Lauren Daniel, a business Development Apprentice at London-based McLaughlin Decorating said:
“I didn’t want to go to university; I’m more of a hands-on person and I wanted to learn on the job. I’m the first person in my family to go down a construction route; everyone else is either a doctor or lawyer – and I love that because it’s something I’m passionate about.
“My advice to any girls who are nervous about coming into construction is: if you love what you do, then do it. Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t, just because you’re a woman. Yes, it’s a male-dominated field and a lot of women get undermined but if you’ve got the job and you want to do it, then go for it. If you have a positive mindset and a great attitude and you just keep going, then nothing can stop you.”
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) added:
“Construction is one of the most skilled, rewarding and varied industries in the country and yet we’re still not doing enough to make that case to half the population. We need women at every level in the sector from being on the tools, in the office, and at the boardroom table. Women in Construction Week is a moment to celebrate the incredible women already working in our sector but it’s also a moment to ask: are we doing enough? The FMB is committed to championing women in the construction sector and calling for more to join us.”
Annie Summun, FMB National Board representative concluded:
“I never imagined I’d become a director at the FMB when I started my career in retail, drawn by my love of working with people. That passion for connecting with others has been the constant theme throughout my career – from those early retail days, through 13 years in construction, to my role as a board member at the FMB today.
“I entered the industry late in my career without traditional construction skills and I want other women to know they needn’t be afraid to do the same. The construction industry has shown me that the most valuable skills are transferable: listening, problem-solving, and understanding people . It’s those very skills that allow me to serve our FMB members effectively and champion the sector of which I’m so proud to be part of.”
