Wates has launched a new programme to bring 125 more women into construction by 2025.
The contractor will work in partnership with Women into Construction (WiC) to provide training and employment opportunities for women at all stages of their career.
Women make up less than 15% of the UK construction workforce and drops to 1% for trade roles.
Wates and WiC will deliver four employment schemes over a two-year period, each targeting a different area of the business.
The schemes will support women into a variety of site-based roles, from project manager to surveyor. They will also engage with managers and employees from across the group to ensure an inclusive environment for all, Wates said.
Under the partnership with WiC, 60 women will be enrolled into work placements across the business, with a target to recruit at least 50% permanently.
Wates will also work with other partners such as STEM Returners and Young Women’s Trust to ensure pathways into construction are open to a wider pool of women in different life stages.
Nikunj Upadhyay, inclusion and diversity director at Wates Group, said: “It is critical that we create pathways that encourage more women to explore the opportunities available within our industry.”
