Women significantly underrepresented in construction, study finds

Progress remains fragile, with many organisations reducing investment in mentorship and development programmes for women

Despite continued progress in recent years, women remain significantly underrepresented within the UK construction industry.

According to research by 3B Training, women make up just 15% of the overall construction workforce, and only around 2% of on-site roles.

The sector continues to face persistent barriers to inclusion, with gender stereotypes, limited access to leadership pathways, and a lack of flexible working options still commonplace.

The report also found that 60% of women working in construction believe gender bias remains a serious issue. At the same time, many feel their career progression opportunities are limited compared with their male counterparts.

These findings are echoed in McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2024 study, which shows that although women now hold 29% of top-ranking executive roles globally, they face much greater obstacles at the early and middle stages of their careers.

The research highlights that for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 81 women receive the same opportunity, a disparity that widens further for women of colour.

McKinsey also notes that progress remains fragile, with many organisations reducing investment in mentorship and development programmes for women, despite these being proven to increase retention and advancement.

Without sustained effort, the report warns that achieving gender parity in senior leadership may still take decades.

The construction sector reflects many of these same challenges. While female representation in support, administrative and design roles has gradually increased, women in technical, operational and leadership positions remain the exception rather than the rule.

For an industry facing both a skills shortage and growing demand for inclusive leadership, addressing this imbalance is crucial to its future success.

Recognising the need for focused support, Women in Construction: The Power Within Her has developed the Women in Leadership programme, a training initiative designed specifically for women working within the built environment.

The programme equips participants with the knowledge, mindset and tools required to progress into senior roles, building both confidence and capability.

The course utilises Motivational Intelligence, also known as MQ, to help women develop emotional agility, resilience, and influence, while also addressing the real challenges of working in a fast-paced, often male-dominated sector.

It focuses on practical leadership strategies that participants can apply immediately, whether managing teams on-site or coordinating complex projects in the office. Delivered live online, the programme is accessible to professionals across the UK without requiring them to pause their careers.

Upon completion, participants receive an Executive Diploma in Leading with Motivational Intelligence, accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and the NOCN Group with UCAS recognition, and retain lifetime access to course materials and a growing professional network.