The director of Horgan Homes, Sophie Horgan, is calling for more action on promoting construction careers for young women as a new mentoring scheme launches
Schools, colleges, and the industry as a whole must do more to change the narrative for young women in construction, says Horgan.
Horgan Homes is a Midlands-based house builder, and Sophie Horgan is considered to be one of the “magnificent seven” female leaders in construction, which is launching a new mentoring scheme.
The mentoring scheme is a part of a larger campaign for young women in construction
The campaign, called I Am A Housebuilder, was launched by the All Party Parliamentary Group for small and medium enterprise (SME) housebuilding businesses.
The intent of the campaign is to get women interested in construction and pair those interested with female mentors to help guide them through the industry.
The mentorship programme for young women in construction is sponsored by Saint-Gobain interior solutions, and is open to women aged 21 or older, entitled to work in the UK and have at least four years experience or qualifications in construction or housebuilding.
Hargan highlights the skills crisis as a big obstacle
Sophie Hargan said: “By far the biggest problem we have in recruiting women is that so many are still not aware that construction is a career path that is open to them. It is still assumed that building is something that boys do, and we really need everyone to work together to change that.
“There is no trade or profession in the construction industry that women can’t do as well as men, if they are given the chance. And the choice of career within the industry is vast, from the hands-on trades like bricklaying, plumbing and electrician to the associated professions like project manager, surveyor and architect.
“I am delighted that the I Am A Housebuilder campaign group has now launched a mentoring scheme to support women in the industry, but we also need to lay the foundations much earlier in the education system if we are to have those women to mentor.
“As construction businesses, we need to engage much more with schools and colleges to help girls see that the industry is one in which they can succeed.
“I faced many different obstacles as I worked my way through the industry and, even though there are more women in construction now, I think it’s important to recognise that those obstacles haven’t necessarily gone away. I hope the new mentoring programme will help talented women thrive and build rewarding careers in housebuilding.”
