Major construction firms working across the UK healthcare and public sector estate have marked International Women’s Day by reaffirming their commitment to improving gender diversity and creating more inclusive workplaces across the built environment sector.
Contractors, including BAM Construction, Laing O’Rourke, Kier Group and Willmott Dixon, joined peers across the industry in highlighting the role women play in shaping the future of construction and engineering.
The statements come as the sector continues to address the significant gender imbalance in construction roles, particularly across site-based trades and senior operational positions.
Addressing barriers on site
BAM used the day to highlight the importance of tackling practical barriers faced by women working in construction environments, including issues around personal protective equipment.
Sabine van Hooijdonk, Chief Human Resources Officer at BAM, said: “Safety is about more than procedures, it’s about people. By improving PPE for women, we’re addressing risks that have gone unchallenged for too long.”
She added that creating safer, more inclusive workplaces is vital to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce.
Ruud Joosten, CEO of BAM, also emphasised the importance of inclusion across the business.
“It is essential we nurture a workplace where everyone feels included… this helps us attract the diverse talents we need to deliver our strategy.”
Celebrating women shaping the industry
Meanwhile, Laing O’Rourke used the day to recognise the contribution of women working across engineering, project delivery and leadership roles.
In its message marking the day, the company said: “Today is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the remarkable women who are actively shaping and advancing our industry.”
“Gender equality is not just a topic for today, it needs to stay part of the conversation all year round.”
Reflecting on progress
At Kier Construction, the contractor said the annual awareness day provides an opportunity to review progress and consider what more needs to be done to improve diversity across the sector.
The company said: “We always look to use this day as an opportunity to reflect on our progress and identify what more needs to be done.”
Increasing representation in construction trades
Willmott Dixon also used the occasion to highlight efforts to increase the number of women working in construction trades, an area where representation remains particularly low.
The company highlighted efforts to boost the number of women in trades such as mechanical and electrical, groundworks, drylining and carpentry.
MTX Contracts also celebrated International Women’s Day, noting: “It's particularly fitting that this week is also Women in Construction week, the perfect opportunity to recognise the impact the women of MTX have on our organisation, our culture and our success.”
The company added: “Construction has long been seen as a male-dominated industry, but that narrative is shifting, and we’re proud to play our part, as signatories of the Inspiring Women in Construction & Engineering Pledge and an equal opportunities employer.”
Many contractors say improving representation of women in the workforce is essential to ensuring the sector can meet future demand for new housing, infrastructure and healthcare facilities.
Firms like Morgan Sindall, Skanska UK, John Graham, Sacyr UK, Dragados and Integrated Health Projects, say improving representation is essential to meeting future demand and creating a more inclusive industry.
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MTX Contracts
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