JTL CONSULTATION AND SCHOOLS TOUR

JTL AND UDEVELOP HAVE TEAMED UP TO RAISE AWARENESS ON CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICESHIPS

Thousands of people get trained and enter the construction sector but a very small percentage are young females. We ran a full consultation with women across Preston and Chorley and found out about their views.

Here our a few of the questions we asked.

What images immediately spring to mind when you think about a plumber or an
electrician? 100% of the women asked said that they see males that are dirty

What physical and personal attributes do you think is important to have to work
in the construction sector? 75% answered they will need to be physically strong and 25% said they would be skilled, hardworking and qualified

What is your impression of the construction sector and the types of people who
work within it? women thinking it is limited, male orientated and you have to be
clever.

Do you have any friends, relatives who are plumbers or electricians? If so, can
you describe them in terms of age and gender, physicality, personality?
7 Women out of the 15 didn’t know anyone. The rest replied with talkative, aged
40ish, cocky, lad like but friendly

What attitudes do you think present within the construction sector towards equality
and diversity?100% of the women answered with It is a male dominated industry

What makes you think this?women answered with, Its Stereotypically a mans job, men assuming their better at the job, facilities, no women are seen on sites, men are stronger and women
are weaker, only white men work in the sector

How do you think the construction industry would benefit from having more
female employees?Different view points, more organised, more attention to detail so less money spent on
snagging costs, reliability, more approachable, get along with female customers

In your opinion what are the barriers for young females who may want to enter this
sector? Stigma, seen as male dominated, feeling unequal in the workplace and infrastructure
female toilets, changing facilities, general attitudes from society as a whole

What, if anything do you believe should be done to encourage more women to work
in the construction sector?More awareness and marketing to remove all stigmas, more women role models and in depth career guidance within schools

Some really interesting responses!!!

We created an animation to raise awareness of the sector and have been touring around schools delivering assemblies with young women who are or doing an apprenticeship. UDevelop have also been working with groups to create some amazing e-resource. Here are some of the ladies we have worked with from Ashton Community Science College and Christ the king in Preston.