Beyond the Numbers
Why Inclusion is the Key to a Stronger Construction Industry
The cranes across our skylines tell one story - progress. But beneath the hard hats, there’s another story unfolding: one of women pushing boundaries in a sector that has long been male-dominated.
Women have always built - homes, communities, futures - yet in construction, their presence has often been treated as exceptional rather than essential. Today, that’s changing. But progress isn’t just about ticking boxes or increasing headcounts. True inclusion is about unlocking innovation, creativity and resilience - and women are central to that shift.
The Numbers: Where We Stand in 2025
Despite improvement, the statistics show how much further we have to go:
Women make up just 29% of the UK construction workforce (up from 23% in 2022).
Only 1% of skilled trades roles (bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry) are held by women.
Women represent 18–19% of management positions, but very few at board or senior executive level.
The gender pay gap in construction remains one of the largest of any UK industry - sitting at 20.7%.
A third of women leave the sector within five years, citing lack of flexibility, poor culture or limited progression.
(Sources: Supply Chain Sustainability School, CIOB, Construction News 2023–2024)
These numbers are not just statistics - they are signals. They tell us that the industry is missing out on talent, creativity and leadership by not fully supporting women to thrive.
Inclusion as Innovation: Why It Matters
When we talk about inclusion, we are not talking about charity. We are talking about competitive advantage.
New Perspectives, Smarter Solutions
Women bring different lived experiences and problem-solving approaches. Whether it’s designing safer sites, creating more inclusive facilities or managing projects with a balance of empathy and precision - diverse thinking drives better results.Closing the Skills Gap
The UK construction industry faces an estimated shortfall of over 250,000 skilled workers by 2028. Encouraging more women to enter and stay in construction isn’t optional - it’s essential to meet future demand.Culture, Collaboration and Retention
Inclusive teams tend to have higher morale, lower turnover and better safety records. When women feel supported - through flexibility, mentorship and fair pay - the entire workforce benefits.Reputation and Performance
Clients and investors increasingly expect to see tangible equality measures. Gender inclusion is now an ESG and brand imperative, not just an HR initiative.
⚠️ The Barriers Still Standing
While progress is happening, barriers remain stubbornly in place:
Rigid working practices - Long hours and inflexible schedules still make balancing family life and site work difficult.
Culture and microaggressions - Many women report feeling isolated or having to “prove” themselves daily.
Lack of visible role models - Without seeing women in leadership, many assume “it’s not for people like me.”
Poor access to PPE and facilities - Basic things like ill-fitting safety gear and inadequate welfare spaces still send the wrong message.
Unequal pay and slow promotion - Gender bias and unclear progression routes often push talented women to leave.
These aren’t insurmountable - but they require intention, accountability and leadership that recognises inclusion as a strength.
🛠️ Building Inclusion: What Needs to Happen
Here’s what a truly inclusive industry for women looks like:
Flexible Working - Offer job-share, part-time and remote options in design, project management and site roles.
Visible Leadership - Showcase women leading major builds - site managers, architects, engineers.
Pay Equity - Publish gender pay data and create transparent promotion pathways.
Mentorship and Coaching - Create networks and access to coaching to build confidence and career clarity.
Inclusive Site Culture - Zero tolerance for harassment, inclusive facilities and leadership training in bias awareness.
Retention Support - Support for parents, carers and career changers entering construction later in life.
🌱 How Moco Coaching Supports Women in Construction
At Moco Coaching, we meet women right where they are - in mid-career, on-site, in management or even at the crossroads of “what’s next?”
We help women to:
Clarify their goals - whether that’s career growth, leadership or rebalancing work and life.
Build confidence - to speak up, lead and be visible in environments that weren’t built with them in mind.
Map their career paths - identifying the right training, mentoring and progression routes.
Strengthen resilience - through mindset work, accountability and practical strategies for thriving in challenging environments.
And for organisations, we help you build the internal culture to support and retain that talent - because inclusion only works when it’s lived, not laminated.
💬 The Bottom Line
Inclusion isn’t a box to tick; it’s the foundation for building a stronger, more sustainable construction industry.
The future of construction will be built by women - not because it’s fair, but because it’s smart business.
It’s time to move beyond the numbers and create a culture where women can not only enter the site - but own it.