Celebrating Women in Construction Week 2025

At SIMIAN, we are proud to champion diversity in construction, and this Women in Construction Week (March 3rd – 7th, 2025), we want to celebrate the incredible women shaping the future of our industry.

Women play a crucial role in the construction industry, yet they remain significantly underrepresented. Women in Construction Week is a time to celebrate their contributions, raise awareness of the challenges they face, and encourage more women to pursue careers in the sector.

Why This Week Matters

Women currently make up around 15% of the construction workforce in the UK, with approximately 340,000 women employed in the sector. However, representation in manual trades remains at just 1%, and only 7% of executive roles in construction are held by women.

Despite these figures, the industry is changing. As construction faces an urgent skills shortage, with an estimated 250,000 additional workers needed by 2027, women represent a key opportunity to help close this gap and drive the industry forward.

Breaking Barriers: Key Issues Women Face

Women in construction still encounter challenges that limit their opportunities for career progression, safety, and equality.

• The Gender Pay Gap – Women hold just 9.2% of the highest-paid roles, while nearly 29% are in the lowest-paid quartile. This disparity highlights the need for greater career advancement opportunities.
• Lack of Proper PPE – Nearly 60% of UK employers do not provide appropriately fitting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for women, making site work uncomfortable and, in some cases, unsafe.
• Workplace Culture & Representation – With so few women in leadership roles and manual trades, construction can still feel like a male-dominated environment, creating barriers to entry and progression.
•  Retention Challenges – A lack of flexible working arrangements and support for women balancing work and family responsibilities means that many leave the sector before reaching senior roles.

Celebrating Women in Construction

Women in Construction Week is not just about recognising challenges – it’s about celebrating the incredible work that women already do in the industry. Across the UK and Ireland, women are leading major infrastructure projects, pioneering innovation, and shaping the future of construction.

At SIMIAN, we believe that support and guidance are key to fostering a more inclusive industry. Whether you are starting your career, looking to upskill, or seeking mentorship, there are organisations dedicated to helping women succeed in construction. One such organisation is the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, which provides vital support to construction workers, including women, by offering mental health support, financial assistance, and career guidance.

If you or someone you know needs advice or assistance, we encourage you to reach out to the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity. Their services include:

• Mental health and wellbeing support for women in construction
• Menopause awareness training to help organisations create supportive workplaces
• Financial and emotional support services for those facing hardship in the sector

For more information about industry support, visit Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity.