Crown of the War Stone

More women construction leaders, urges report

In the run up to International Women’s Day (8 March), academics from Salford University have announced the results of a major research project revealing the barriers facing North West women leaders in construction – with practical recommendations to encourage more females into the industry.

Workers’ attitudes, family commitments, working patterns, and industry policies are just some of the challenges preventing women from becoming leaders in construction, according to Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga and Dr Richard Haigh from the University’s School of the Built Environment.

Unless working practices are radically addressed through improved work-life balance, more career break schemes, greater childcare facilities, and a better working environment, they warn that the current ratio between male and female management staff of 6%:94% in construction will remain – and even decrease – in the future.

Professor Amaratunga said: “Despite increasing numbers of women training within construction, there is still a real scarcity of women in leadership positions. By speaking to women in the industry we identified a number of common barriers that urgently need to be addressed.”

Following the year-long European funded study, the researchers have developed a good practice guide for employers and policy-makers featuring a proposals for reform within the industry.

Dr Haigh added: “It is imperative that career advancement opportunities for women in construction are put in place so that they can become successful leaders while balancing their family lives. The next stage is to lobby the policy-makers who can help put our recommendations into action.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

For more information of the University of Salford’s Constructing Women Leaders project go to www.veber.salford.ac.uk/cwl/

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T +44 (0)161 295 5361F +44 (0)161 295 4705 j.brown@salford.ac.uk

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