The Construction Industry Federation has launched a campaign aimed at encouraging women to take up jobs in construction.

According to the latest CSO figures, around 135,000 men work in construction, while only 12,500 women are employed in the sector.

However, in the year to December, the number of men fell by 1.8%, while the number of women grew by 4.9%.

Construction now accounts for 3.1% of the workforce, but the rate of growth in the sector has slowed recently.

There are concerns that the current shortage of construction workers will impede progress on addressing the housing shortage and completing major infrastructure projects.

The CIF says the billboard campaign featuring women at work in various positions in the construction sector will challenge stereotypes about construction as a male-only profession and highlight the diversity of roles available.

The campaign will run up to International Women's Day on 8 March.

The women featured on the billboards are in roles including carpenter, joiner, site engineer, project manager and human resources.