Esther McVey, Minister of State for Employment, has specifically called out the construction industry when talking about moving our perceptions away from industries that are “just for boys”. This begs the question "Are female construction workers the answer the skills shortages?"



In addition to construction, McVey specifically mentioned engineering and science in the list of industries that are currently too dominated by men.



Whilst indicating that there will be a record number of women in work (14.4 million in November) McVey also said that if as many women started their own business as men do, there would be around 150,000 extra businesses each year.



It’s concerning that women apply for the roles in the construction industry at much lower rates than men do, more women in the industry could help overcome the skills shortages the industry is facing at a much quicker rate.



Miss McVey is quoted as saying: “I want to see more women be able to make the most of the opportunities that are out there today and in the future.



“Despite a record number of women in work they are still unrepresented in many of the industries – for example engineering, science and construction – where they can be the role models in traditionally male-dominated jobs for the next generation.”



As part of the move to try to get more women into traditionally male orientated industry’s the government has launched a campaign which features the hashtag: #NotJustForBoys



There are currently around 272,000 women working in construction compared to 2 million men demonstrating the huge opportunity we have in the construction industry to take advantage of this untapped part of the UK’s working population.



It seems as though our industry is starting to understand the opportunities of employing women with a growth of 17% of jobs for women whilst there has been a 3% growth in construction jobs for men



“I want to see more women make the most of the future growth and job opportunities in what once may have been considered non-traditional roles – so young children won't only know about Bob the Builder, but Becky the builder, his work mate too,” Miss McVey said.



“Women are getting on and making choices about the world of work that many of their mothers and grandmothers might never have considered for themselves.”



McVey has recently visited Women in Construction, an organisation dedicated to helping women find employment in the construction industry.



“Up and down the country the women of the UK have been staging a quiet revolution – they've been getting in work in unprecedented numbers.



“With record employment and almost 700,000 vacancies in the economy – I want to see as many young women as possible making the most of those opportunities to provide the security of a regular wage for themselves.”