The Edge - October 2023
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10<br />
Changing the face of construction: women breaking<br />
barriers and building a more inclusive workforce,<br />
one brick at a time.<br />
<strong>The</strong> construction industry has<br />
long been synonymous with<br />
hard hats, heavy machinery and<br />
a workforce mostly made up of<br />
men. However, more recently,<br />
women are increasingly<br />
stepping onto construction<br />
sites, wielding tools and taking<br />
on leadership roles in what<br />
was once considered a maledominated<br />
domain. This shift<br />
is not limited to the workforce<br />
alone; it extends to Warrington<br />
& Vale Royal College’s<br />
workshops, in which there is an<br />
increasing female presence.<br />
<strong>The</strong> construction industry is an<br />
evolving landscape, one that now<br />
welcomes and celebrates the<br />
contributions of women. Warrington<br />
& Vale Royal College has seen<br />
a surge in the number of women<br />
enrolling onto construction courses,<br />
reflecting a broader societal shift<br />
towards gender equality in a<br />
traditionally underrepresented<br />
field. That said, the industry still<br />
has work to do, with the percentile<br />
of female workers still much lower<br />
than other sectors.<br />
Recent statistics suggest that this<br />
number is on the rise and that<br />
increasing numbers of women are<br />
choosing to pursue careers in the<br />
construction industry. An online<br />
article published by Direct Line<br />
states that the number of women<br />
working in trade has increased by<br />
120%, with an estimated number<br />
of 33,000 tradeswomen in 2019<br />
compared to 15,000 in 2009.<br />
Looking at these numbers, it’s<br />
evident that women are making<br />
their mark on the construction<br />
industry and excelling in roles once<br />
considered exclusively male.<br />
David Love, Director, Curriculum<br />
& Quality – Construction &<br />
Engineering at the college,<br />
says: “It’s great to see our adult<br />
community learning courses within<br />
the construction trades increasing<br />
in popularity with female students.<br />
We’ve seen a growing number of<br />
women wishing to upskill within<br />
joinery, brickwork and plumbing.<br />
One of the students enrolled on<br />
the course after receiving a large<br />
quote to repoint her house, so<br />
she decided to learn how to do<br />
it herself. Another student told<br />
me that she is wanting her own<br />
independence. It’s wonderful.”<br />
One such student is Clare, a local<br />
primary school teacher fed up of<br />
needing to ask for help with jobs<br />
around the house. So, she enrolled<br />
onto the college’s Introduction<br />
to Carpentry & Joinery course to<br />
learn new skills and increase her<br />
independence. Clare is a huge<br />
advocate for learning and believes<br />
that all adults should continue<br />
their education in one way or<br />
another. She says: “<strong>The</strong> tutors are<br />
great; they are very patient and<br />
understanding. I am having so<br />
much fun on this course!”<br />
Another student stepping into<br />
the workshop is Bev, a remote<br />
worker looking to learn new skills<br />
and get out of her comfort zone.<br />
Like Clare, Bev is hoping to take<br />
the new expertise gained on the<br />
course and use it to make home<br />
improvements herself. She says:<br />
“All of the tutors, including the<br />
technicians, are lovely and great to<br />
learn from! <strong>The</strong> workshops have all<br />
of the equipment needed to learn,<br />
which makes the experience so<br />
much better.”<br />
Warrington & Vale Royal College<br />
takes pride in its commitment<br />
to providing a supportive and<br />
inclusive learning environment<br />
for students of all ages, including<br />
women pursuing careers in<br />
construction. Central to the<br />
college’s mission is getting<br />
students career-ready, by<br />
providing guidance and inspiration<br />
that excels beyond textbooks.<br />
Expert tutors not only share their<br />
knowledge and experiences,<br />
but offer insight into the unique<br />
challenges and opportunities<br />
women may encounter in<br />
construction.<br />
<strong>The</strong> future of the construction<br />
industry is brighter and more<br />
inclusive than ever before, with a<br />
wide range of career opportunities.<br />
Prominent roles include architects,<br />
engineers, project managers<br />
and quantity surveyors. Skilled<br />
tradespeople such as carpenters,<br />
electricians and plumbers are<br />
essential for hands-on construction<br />
work. Safety professionals<br />
ensure worksites are secure,<br />
while environmental specialists<br />
focus on sustainable practices.<br />
Estimators handle project budgets,<br />
while equipment operators handle<br />
heavy machinery. For those with<br />
a vision to lead, there are careers<br />
in construction management.<br />
Whatever your level of career<br />
aspiration, Warrington & Vale<br />
Royal College has a construction<br />
course for you ranging from<br />
introductory courses right the<br />
way up to higher education<br />
courses. Whether you simply<br />
want to learn something new like<br />
Clare and Bev, or you want to<br />
establish a successful career in the<br />
construction industry, Warrington &<br />
Vale Royal College can help you to<br />
achieve this goal.<br />
Join the wonderful women<br />
breaking barriers at Warrington &<br />
Vale Royal College today! Visit:<br />
wvr.ac.uk/adults to view the<br />
range of courses on offer.<br />
01925 494 494 Campuses in Warrington and Winsford Warrington & Vale Royal College<br />
wvr.ac.uk
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