Cambridgeshire developer celebrates breaking barriers this International Women's Day

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.

Among Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ female employees is Olivia Powter (29), a Technical Co-Ordinator based in Peterborough.

Olivia, joined Barratt and David Wilson Homes in 2021 bringing with her the skills she had developed throughout her early career, working in many roles linked to the housebuilding industry.

Despite the industry being mainly male dominated, Olivia made significant strides in her career, believing gender should never be a barrier preventing anyone from succeeding.

Olivia said, “It’s very important for women to have a voice in the industry. Most people still perceive construction environments as predominantly male because they tend to be just that.

“Women may not even consider the industry at first because it doesn’t always feel like a natural fit. But having worked in this environment for over seven years I can confidently say more women could thrive in construction based roles than perhaps first thought.

“The mix of people you come across is genuinely one of the best aspects of visiting sites. It is a completely different and refreshing environment compared to office work, and if more women were encouraged into such roles the diversity seen on site would only improve further.”

According to Statista, there were approximately 1.8 million men employed in construction in the UK as of the second quarter of 2023, compared with 340,000 women, equalling just under 16 per cent of the total workforce.

Olivia continued: “Businesses can help reset the imbalance by advocating for more women in leadership roles. Initiatives like Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ Catalyst programme, which aims to develop the careers of women within the company through reciprocal mentoring is a great step forward.

“I would encourage all women thinking of taking a role in construction to take the leap. Have confidence in your abilities and don’t be afraid of being the only woman in the room. You will meet a vast range of people with an abundance of experience from various backgrounds, utilise it.”

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.

Will Phair, Sales Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Cambridgeshire, said: “As a leading housebuilder we are fully aware that one of the largest issues in the industry is the number of female employees working within the sector and the current gender imbalance it faces.

“We want to break 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.

“With a range of departments within the company, we want to remind women that there are a variety of different 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 and Finance Administrators.

To learn more about the career opportunities available, visit the website at Barratt Careers.

For more information about any nearby developments, visit Barratt Homes in Cambridgeshire or David Wilson Homes in Cambridgeshire.