INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DEVELOPER PLEDGES TO TACKLE EQUALITY IN CONSTRUCTION HEAD ON

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 5 March 2021

UPDATED: 5 March 2021

Ahead of International Women’s Day on Monday 8th March, leading developer Barratt and David Wilson Homes is encouraging more women to consider a career in the construction industry, with a variety of roles available across Nottinghamshire.

 

Whilst female construction workers have increased steadily over the past 12 years, the proportion of women in the industry is still significantly lower, something which the housebuilder is keen to change. Research figures from the union for construction workers, GMB, showed that if the rate of female employees continues to rise at the rate it is now, women won’t equal men until 2194

Among the homebuilder’s female employees is Assistant Site Manager, Zoe Burns (26), who works onsite at Barratt Homes’ Beeston Quarter development in Beeston.

She said:

“For any young women who are interested in a career in construction or similarly male-dominated industries, I would tell them to not be discouraged and to strive to achieve. Be confident to follow your own path.”

“I’ve never received any additional assistance or preferential treatment from Barratt Homes because I’m female. I’ve been treated exactly the same as men in my position which is exactly how things should be - this is true gender equality.

“Over the past 12 months, everyone has needed to be flexible and adaptive to a continuously changing workplace. Everyone has needed to be more conscientious about our colleagues’ health and that of their families, and I have experienced a renewed appreciation for working in the construction industry.”

 

Also working for Barratt and David Wilson Homes is Kitty Michaels (42), an Urban Designer, who was led to the homebuilding industry by an interest in architecture and urbanism and the impact that buildings have on people’s daily lives.

She said:

“I have been supported and encouraged from the beginning which has given me the confidence to make the most of my abilities.

“Looking back at the last 17 years I can honestly say that my role at Barratt David Wilson Homes has not just evolved into my ideal job, but it has also helped me grow. It influenced so many other aspects of my life, such as my choice of home, and has given me the many friendships I have forged over the years. I would do it all again!
“Being a Barratt and David Wilson Homes customer myself, as well as an employee working from home over the past year, I have found myself appreciating even more the impact my job has on our customers’ everyday lives and how every detail such as room adaptability, a sense of place and good quality amenity space can make a difference to our well-being.”

With a number of female employees already in a range of roles across the company, the housebuilder is reminding women from all skill sets of the different roles available and is encouraging them to put their experience to the industry.

Mark Cotes, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Midlands, said:

“We want to quash the age old stereotype that the construction industry is a male dominated field as we have many women who work out on site as well as in office based roles.

“As a leading housebuilder we are fully aware that one of the largest issues surrounding diversity in construction is the number of female employees working within the sector and the current gender imbalance it faces.

“With a range of departments within the company, we want to remind women that there are a variety of different roles that can be offered within the business that have great benefits and excellent opportunities for career progression.”

According to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the growing housing and infrastructure workload requires the UK to attract 400,000 more recruits a year to meet current industry needs, which equates to one recruit every 77 seconds.

Some roles within the industry include:

Based out on site – Electricians, Plasterers, Engineers, Fork-lift Driver, Scaffolders, Bricklayers, Site Manager, Contracts Manager

Based at Head Office – Architectural Technician, Surveyors, Land and Planning Managers, Estimator, Buyer, Finance Administrator

To learn more about the career opportunities available, visit www.barrattcareers.co.uk.

For more information about any nearby developments, call the Barratt Homes sales team on 033 3355 8472 or the David Wilson Homes sales team on 033 3355 8473. Alternatively, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk or www.dwh.co.uk.

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