Building Futures: Celebrating Women in Construction

They say this is a man’s world.

Well, in the construction industry, Optimum Skills are changing that.

Currently, only 15 per cent of workers in the UK’s construction sector are female.

And when it comes to those actually working on-site, that falls to just two per cent.

But across the industry, things are beginning to change – and we’re proud to be part of that progress.

Women in Construction Week is an opportunity to celebrate the women who are helping shape the future of one of the UK’s most vital industries.

As one of the North East’s most respected training providers, we have helped thousands of people gain the qualifications they need to start construction careers.

Roofers, Joiners, Bricklayers and more!

Training the workforce of tomorrow is what we do every day – and through that work we see first-hand the huge opportunities construction offers to anyone with the determination and willingness to learn.

Yet while the industry offers rewarding, hands-on careers and strong long-term prospects, women remain significantly underrepresented.

But we know there is absolutely no reason why the sector should remain so male-dominated.

Because we aren’t.

At Optimum Skills, diversity isn’t something we simply talk about. It’s something we live.

Our entire senior leadership team is female, and women make up the majority of our workforce. That perspective shapes how we train, support and inspire the people who come through our doors every day.

Because talent, determination and problem-solving ability are not defined by gender.

That’s why this week (March 2-9) Women in Construction Week; we are shining a well-earned light on the women who help break that mould.

Women like Poppy Orton.

Aged just 19, she’s already carving out a career in construction as an apprentice roofer.

Like many young people entering the industry, she was looking for something different from the traditional nine-to-five. She wanted hands-on work, and a career that would challenge her, keep her active and allow her to build something tangible.

And roofing has provided exactly that.

You see, there’s a stereotype that being on the tools is only for a certain type of person who can lift heavy things, the reality is that construction is as much about skill and thinking as it is about strength.

For Poppy, one of the most rewarding aspects of the job is the problem-solving involved. If something doesn’t quite fit, how can she make it fit?

Stories like Poppy’s are exactly why we do what we do at Optimum Skills – helping young people discover opportunities they may never previously have considered.

And she’s not the only success story.

Beth Carwardine was one of our first female apprentices. When she joined us, she admits she was shy and unsure of herself.

But through training, support and hard work, she flourished.

Today, she’s not only built a successful career in construction – she’s now looking to supervise an apprentice of her own.

It’s a full-circle moment that perfectly captures what apprenticeships are all about: passing on skills, experience and confidence to the next generation.

Because construction is about precision, teamwork, resilience and problem-solving.

None of these qualities belong to one gender.

And if the UK is serious about tackling the construction skills shortage – with around 140,000 roles needing to be filled in the coming years – then encouraging more women into the industry isn’t just the right thing to do.

It’s essential.

That’s why events like Women in Construction Week matter. They shine a spotlight on the talented women already making their mark and help inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

At Optimum Skills, we’re committed to continuing that work – supporting apprentices like Poppy, celebrating success stories like Beth’s, and helping show young women that construction offers exciting, rewarding and long-term careers.

Because the future of the industry depends on opening its doors to everyone with the drive to succeed.