VOX POP

Is it realistic to set targets for recruiting more women into construction?



DERMOT McGINLEY

md

McGinley Construction Services

A lot of work needs to be done to attract more women into the industry. There is an image problem. But there is great interest at management level. They want it to happen. We certainly had great cooperation from Tilbury Douglas in placing our first woman trainee on site.



PHILIP FITZPATRICK

director

Mark Fitzpatrick & Sons

You do still tend to find some opposition to women from fellow site workers rather than management. Hopefully, that will change. They certainly thrive on the craft side. A lot do very well in specialist trades demanding a high skill content. More women in construction is a matter of when and not if.

TOM

GALLAGHER

Head of employee relations

ECA

My impression is that electrical contracting is an area of construction which can be particularly attractive to women. We currently have just 27 women apprentices registered with our industry training body, JTL. It's still a very small percentage.