Women in construction earn 33% less than men

​​​​​​​Over 37% of new entrants to the construction sector are female; however, retention and progression are limited, with only 16% of senior roles held by women, a report finds

Despite the UK construction industry employing over 2.2 million people, only 15% are women, and they make up only 2% of manual skilled roles, such as electricians and plumbers.  

And the stakes are high, with the UK government committing over £700 billion in infrastructure investment over the next decade, targets for 1.5 million new homes by 2029, and a critical labour shortage across the country.  

To highlight this issue, Excavator Parts Direct (EPD), a UK supplier of excavator parts, has revealed key construction roles with significant gender disparities, the opportunities, and what can be done. 

According to recent data, here are six positions with key opportunities to bridge the workforce gap:

Over a third of new entrants (37%) to the construction sector are female; however, retention and progression are limited, with only 16% of senior roles held by women.

 The gender pay gap is also stark, as women earn up to 33% less than men in equivalent roles, making it the biggest gap of any UK industry. 

With 35% of the workforce over 50, retirement rates outperform recruitment. And despite growing conversations around workplace diversity, the latest ONS data shows that the number of women in skilled construction trades has remained stagnant for two decades, at 298,000.  

Jane McGuire, head of Business Services & HR from EPD, commented: “The construction industry is a great sector to work in; however, female representation is shockingly low. Gender representation isn’t just a social issue - it’s a strategic one. There is a real shortage of labour, as well as a huge gap in terms of gender in construction roles, in particular, skilled manual roles. This is a missed opportunity for everyone.”