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Case Study: Occupational Segregation - Women Builders Ltd
The construction industry in the UK employs just 0.6% of women in the trades. Women Builders Ltd is an employment and training initiative tackling the barriers to women’s employment in the construction industry
The company runs a European-funded project which is a partnership between local business, government, and education and training establishments to offer employment and work-based training to women.
The project delivers practical building skills, achievement of NVQ level 2 qualifications, employment opportunities and a secure supportive environment in which to learn and practice construction skills to women in Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Women Builders offers chargeable evening and day courses and some ESF funded free courses. The company has also designed workwear for women in association with local companies.
Women Builders’ workforce of 18 is predominantly female and the company is the largest employer of female operatives in the construction industry as a percentage of the workforce.
In the past 3 years ESF funding has enabled the company to run introductions to building skills for 204 women.
The company has formed alliances with local authorities, schools and housing associations, eg, securing £30,000 worth of school work in Milton Keynes, painting and decorating and refurbishing school premises.
Contact Point
Janet Shelley MBE
janet@womenbuilders.co.uk
www.womenbuilders.co.uk
