Thorn Baker Group: Hiring More Women is

Did you know that the iconic Brooklyn Bridge was completed under the management of Emily Roebling in 1883? Or that Lillian Gilbreth, often called the "Mother of Modern Management," revolutionised construction and industrial engineering with her pioneering work, improving workplace efficiency and safety? And let’s not forget Dame Zaha Hadid, the trailblazing architect behind the London Aquatics Centre, who became the first woman to receive the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize.

Women have long played a big role in construction, yet frustratingly, they continue to remain underrepresented in the industry in the modern day.

This week marks Women in Construction (WIC) Week, an annual event organised by The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). With this year’s theme, ‘Together We Rise,’ Thorn Baker proudly supports NAWIC in recognising and celebrating women in construction while raising awareness of the importance of female representation in construction’s previously male-dominated workforce.

Challenges for Women in Construction

According to the Office for National Statistics (2024), women make up 15% of the UK construction workforce, a 3% increase since 2020. More women are stepping into leadership positions, and female participation in skilled trades such as electricians, carpenters, and welders has been increasing over time. While the industry has made notable strides in gender representation since the first WIC Week back in 1998, there is still much work to be done. Progress is evident, but significant challenges remain, highlighting the ongoing need for change to create an inclusive and diverse construction sector.

1. Pay Gap: 29% of women in construction earn the lowest salaries (New Civil Engineer).

2. Lack of Female Leadership: 38% of women in construction have never had a female manager (Autodesk), making career progression harder to envision. Placing more women into leadership positions can inspire younger generations.

3. Gender Inequalities: 67% of women in construction have experienced, or are currently experiencing, workplace gender inequalities and discrimination (Randstad), making their day-to-day uncomfortable.

4. Inadequate PPE: 60% of construction companies in the UK are failing to provide properly fitting PPE causing safety concerns and cultural disparities on-site for women (NAWIC).

Why the Industry Should be Hiring More Women:

The construction industry continues to face an ageing workforce, a growing skills gap, and an increasing pressure to implement sustainable practices. By 2027, the sector will also require around 250,000 additional workers to meet building demands (Construction Industry Training Board).

Tackling these challenges isn’t easy, but one clear solution is simple - hire more women.

As of 2025, 66% of young women are either currently working in construction, or open to pursuing a career in the industry (Redrow PLC). That’s a huge opportunity for businesses to rethink their hiring strategies and actively reach out to this untapped talent pool.

And it’s not just about ticking a diversity box, there’s real business value here.

Companies that embrace gender diversity consistently outperform their less diverse counterparts (McKinsey). So, for hiring managers, now’s the perfect time to get proactive and bring more women into the fold. It’s a win for business, a win for the industry, and a win for diversity!

How to Attract and Retain More Women in Construction:

1. Improve Job Adverts

Ensure job descriptions are inclusive, highlighting flexible working options and using gender-neutral language
Work with a recruitment partner like Thorn Baker for support building job ads that attract more women.

2. Introduce Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer a brilliant pathway for students to enter the industry, helping to reshape perceptions of women in construction from a younger age - this strategy is also a great way to address the ageing workforce issue.

3. Create a Supportive and Inclusive On-Site Environment

Bringing more women into the industry helps shatter the outdated stereotype of construction as a tough, male-only building site environment.
Provide training to all staff to raise awareness of unconscious bias and gender discrimination.
Ensure properly fitting PPE is available for women and offer essential facilities such as sanitary bins in on-site toilets. It’s the little things that count too.

4. Engage with NAWIC Events and Workshops

Attend panels, discussions, and workshops to gain insights into attracting and retaining women into construction.

Women aren’t just adding value to construction, they’re redefining it! Overlooking this talent isn’t just a missed opportunity, it’s bad business.

Ready to future-proof your workforce and smash outdated norms? Partner with Thorn Baker today, and let’s build a bolder, more diverse team that’s fit for the future - https://www.thornbaker.co.uk/contact-us