Employing women will solve construction skills shortage

Women are the obvious answer to solving the skills crisis in the construction industry, a new report published today (Thursday) has concluded.

The report by Equal Opportunities Review (EOR) not only looks at what employers can do to encourage women to become tradespeople, but also challenges the industry to take a fresh look at solving its skills shortage.

Construction is Britain's biggest industry, with government spending signalling a buoyant future. Two million people currently work in the industry, which provides a 10th of the UK's domestic product.

The future of the industry is threatened by a skills gap, but despite this, the report highlights, the industry still remains reluctant to tap into the potential that women offer.

At present, only 1% of the industry's modern apprentices are women and an even smaller proportion are employed as tradespeople - latest figures reveal that there were just 14,500 tradeswomen in 2002.

EOR researcher and report author, Carol Foster said: "The tiny minority of female workers within the construction industry have already proved that they are good at their job.

"The challenge for employers and other employees is to overcome the stereotypes that women don't belong on a building site.

"Durkan, for example, has successfully included women in its training and employment strategy and demonstrated that the decision has been good for business," she said.

"With such a clear win-win situation for an employer, it's time for the industry to take a fresh look at solving its skills crisis."