Women in the UK construction sector have shown positive growth over the past years, thanks in part to initiatives that aim to increase the numbers of women in the industry. According to a report by the Office of National Statistics in 2020, women accounted for 12.3% of the UK’s overall construction workforce, (up from 11.3% at the end of 2015). These statistics demonstrate the importance of addressing the current gender gap in the construction industry. It is essential that more women are encouraged to enter the industry, and that they are provided with the support and resources they need to succeed.
By recognizing the value of women in construction, we can help to encourage more women to enter the industry and create a more diverse and inclusive workforce. To gain insight into the experiences and perspectives of female employees in the construction industry, HBC catches up with three women in Building Control – Jayne, Nicola, and Amber – to talk about their experiences and how being a woman in construction at HBC feels today.
Experiences in the Construction Industry
What challenges have you come across as a Woman in Construction?
Earlier in my career, I found that, as a single mum of two pre-schoolers, balancing childcare with a demanding full-time role as a Building Control surveyor was tricky! I found that when my elder daughter started school, getting wrap-around childcare was difficult. There was a definite lack of empathy from both male and female colleagues at the time. Some of the men were expressing that the job was ‘no place for a woman’, whilst the women in the team thought I should put motherhood first and take part-time hours. I was very fortunate to have an understanding manager who was willing to find a flexible solution to my dilemma, which enabled me to fit my work hours around childcare. That was 20 years ago and, I think things have improved with more options for flexible and remote working for all parents.
What are the most effective ways to counteract any negativity around women in construction?
Women still remain a minority within the industry and so the visibility of positive female role models for entrants into the industry is essential to ensure that construction is portrayed as a viable career path for women. From crane operators to architects, from surveyors to plumbers, from engineers to electricians…the more women who are seen to be working in the built environment, within all levels and sectors, enjoying their roles and gaining success and recognition, the more positive the overall impression of women in construction will be.
What woman has positively impacted you in your career? What’s one lesson she taught you?
When I found myself unexpectedly elevated to a management role in Building Control, I needed to build a network of support. Anna Thompson, Head of Engagement at LABC, was absolutely integral to helping me find my feet and put me in contact with people who were willing and able to assist. She was welcoming, encouraging, and supportive. The main thing she taught me was to never underestimate my capabilities and to always be true to myself and my values.
How do you find being a female in the construction industry?
Working in the construction industry is really rewarding. I know that I am listened to within my organisation and haven’t regularly encountered issues with my voice being heard. It’s great to have the help and support of my colleagues around me which is a big plus. Having been in the industry for over 35 years, I have faced occasional challenges in meetings with external construction professionals. However, overall the construction industry has slowly become more open to women in positions of authority and leadership.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I’ve had the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, and have been able to learn new skills and techniques along the way. I really enjoy managing my own team & being able to pass on the knowledge & experience I have gained throughout the years. It’s good to see people come into the organisation via our operations department, develop and grow; then gain confidence to progress within the organisation. Being able to give my opinion and have input on a managerial level hopefully creates a more supportive and equitable work environment for women in construction.
Have you come across any challenges as a ‘woman in construction’ on-site during your career as a building control surveyor?
In my early career, I noticed that contractors would assume I was the Planning Officer visiting to approve their bricks. Not many women were building control surveyors, or ‘inspectors’ as we used to be titled, when I started 17 years ago.
I used to find that if I visited a site with a male colleague, they would address my male colleague and not me! This even happened on a job a few weeks ago when I was out with one of the apprentices, they assumed he was my manager.
I’ve also visited sites to be greeted by a female owner who actually admitted she was expecting a man… followed by an apology!
It has been a pleasure to be on-site with a few female apprentices over the years. One time, we visited a site and the contractors said ‘oh, two female BCO’s’ my apprentice replied, ‘it is 2018’. The same one also asked if my apprentice was on work experience from school with her mum!
I won’t accept someone being rude to a surveyor just because they are female! I was called to visit a site once as a contractor was arguing non-stop with a female colleague. As soon as I showed up and confirmed everything she had told him was correct he soon apologised. Why do some contractors think it’s acceptable to disregard a female surveyor when they are less likely to act the same way with our fellow male colleagues?
Another example occurred when the contractors were older men. They were excavating the foundations for a front extension and had dug 1m into medium to high-shrinkable clay. There was an established Oak Tree nearby. I asked them if they had measured how far away it was and they told me 30m. My female apprentice then measured the distance and it was only 10m away. This meant his foundations needed to be a lot deeper than 1m. He nearly hit the roof! He told us he had been doing his job since before we were born and wasn’t digging any deeper! I told him I wasn’t approving the depths he had dug, would be putting it in writing to the owner, and that I was leaving the site and would await instruction to re-visit when the correct depths had been excavated! I am sure he wouldn’t have reacted the same way if we had been male!
On a lighter note, greetings….men shake hands with men…they usually kiss or hug a woman – I had one builder who would always want to hug me (I had known him for years). When Covid happened, it put an end to it and he’s never done it since! I’m happy with a handshake, I don’t need a hug!
What advice would you give females thinking about being a surveyor?
My advice would be to go for it. It is not a man’s world anymore. There are females in all areas of construction nowadays. It’s not as intimidating as it may seem. There’s been an increase in respect and understanding and an increased awareness of the value of diversity. Resulting in more understanding and appreciation for the perspectives of women in the industry.
You will be mentored by experienced surveyors, you don’t need to know everything, we learn every day in this job! There is 100% support behind you.
The fact that you are female won’t hold you back in the slightest. I always said I wanted to be a secretary (I’ll admit my admin skills are amazing!) but I would have been bored doing a 9-5 desk job. With this career, your time is split between office/home working and site inspections. It is different every day!
Further Information
Women Into Construction Organisation
