The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has organised a practical conference on promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in your construction company, which takes place 15 November.
Participants will learn how maverick CEO Alison Mirams shocked Australia’s construction industry by giving all project staff, including subcontractors, weekends off. And they’ll hear the electrifying impact that has had.
Others from around the world who got early traction in diversifying their company’s workforce will share insights into what has worked.
More than 100 companies have now signed up to the CIOB’s 2021 Diversity & Inclusion Charter. This offers five simple steps construction business leaders can take to start the journey to a diverse and sustainable company culture.
The business case for EDI is stark in the face of the industry’s chronic skills shortage, says Mark Harrison, head of EDI at CIOB. “With only 2% of onsite operatives currently being women, for example, there are some obvious answers to this problem,” he said.
“We have such a broad range of existing and developing roles in the sector that offer excellent careers. We need to make sure we are attracting people with different, diverse life experiences, and skills into these roles. That will be for the benefit of everyone working in the sector and those making use of the buildings we produce.”
