To mark International Women’s Day and Women in Construction Week, our Health, Safety & Environmental Officer, Becky Heselwood, attended an inspiring webinar hosted by the Supply Chain Sustainability School. The session, featuring Faye Allen, Regional Director at Rimkus and author of Building Women, explored the real experiences women face in construction today – and how we can all contribute to creating a more inclusive industry.
The discussion highlighted how far construction has come over the past two decades. Outdated stereotypes and unconscious biases are gradually being replaced with inclusive leadership, respect on site, and real opportunities for career growth regardless of gender.
At B&E Boys, this commitment to inclusion is not just talk – it’s practice. A recent example is our work at St Joseph’s Primary School, where pupils of all ages have been inspired by the construction activity around them. The school even provided play tools and equipment so children could actively engage with building, reflecting the work happening on site.
Equally exciting, we currently have two female bricklaying students working alongside our team. Their presence is a clear sign that traditional “male roles” are no barrier in modern construction. Skills, passion, and dedication matter far more than gender.
This focus on diversity is also critical for the wider industry. The UK construction sector faces a growing skills shortage, with over 140,000 vacancies and an ageing workforce expected to shrink by a third by 2035. Skilled trades such as bricklaying, plumbing, and carpentry are essential to meet national housing targets, yet recruitment has declined in recent years. Women and ethnic minorities remain severely underrepresented, with women making up just 1% of house-building trade workers. Attracting more women into construction is not only about fairness – it’s vital to filling the skills gap and keeping the industry moving forward.
The future of construction relies on attracting and supporting diverse talent. By fostering environments where everyone feels welcome and valued, we don’t just build projects – we help shape an industry that works for everyone. At B&E Boys, we’re proud to play our part in building both quality projects and a more inclusive future.