Whilst the number of female construction workers has increased steadily in recent 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, the number of women in the industry won’t equal men until 2194.
Among Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ female employees is Sales Manager Simone Roberts, (37), who wishes to encourage any girl or women interested in a career in the construction industry to pursue it.
After starting her career as cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic, Simone wished for a change in direction. She loved dealing with customers and wanted a job that still allowed her to help people, but she never thought she would find that in the construction industry.
Simone said: “I think when you’re young, you see the building industry as a man’s world. Even down to the toys children play with, it suggests boys grow up to be builders, yet girls don’t. It took me a while to realise that wasn’t the case.
“What I love the most about the jobs I’ve had is helping people. I loved helping customers and now feel the same about guiding homebuyers on a different kind of journey. Buying a house is probably the biggest purchase someone will make in their lives, and it’s so rewarding to help people through it.
“With an industry so diverse, there is plenty of room for everyone. It’s important to seek diversity and I believe Barratt and David Wilson Homes does exactly that. When I look around a meeting and see people from all walks of life, it fills me with joy that things are moving in the right direction, but as always more can be done.
“If I could speak directly to a girl or woman contemplating a career in construction, I would tell her to believe in her own convictions. You are not subordinate to anyone because of your gender, and don’t let anyone stand in the way of what you want to do in life.”
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.
Gary Chambers, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Sheffield, said: “We want to quash the age-old notion 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 roles that can be offered within the business that have great benefits and excellent opportunities for career progression.”
Some roles within the industry include those based on site, such as Electricians, Plasterers, Engineers, Forklift Drivers, Scaffolders, Bricklayers, Site Managers and Contracts Managers.
For those at head office, roles include Architectural Technicians, Surveyors, Land and Planning Managers, Estimators, Buyers, Sales, Marketing and Finance Administrators.
To learn more about the career opportunities available, visit www.barrattcareers.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can visit the websites at Barratt Homes or David Wilson Homes.
