Thursday 5th February 2026│ BECKY RUSSELL
For years, women were told construction was “too heavy,” “too rough,” or simply not for them. Many were discouraged at school, overlooked during hiring, and when they did make it onto a site, they were often treated like visitors rather than professionals. Talent alone wasn’t enough. Women had to develop thick skin just to stay, and many left not because they couldn’t do the work, but because the industry wasn’t ready for them.
Thankfully, that story is changing.
Today, women are stepping onto construction sites, into offices, and up into leadership roles across the UK. They are engineers, project managers, designers, tradespeople, and they are reshaping the industry from the ground up. Their skills, ideas, and perspectives are not just helping projects run smoothly, they are helping teams work better, communicate better, and innovate in ways the industry has not seen before.
Acknowledging the past is not about blame, it is about learning and building something better. Every woman who stays, every role model who rises, proves that construction can and must be inclusive.
“She carries herself with confidence and capability.”
That’s what we at DIY Her Way are hoping to help change — shifting the culture of the construction industry. It doesn’t happen overnight, and we need the support of men within the industry to achieve meaningful change. But it starts with inclusion and a willingness to accept women on site. Organisations such as We Build Too are already demonstrating what’s possible when women are actively supported into construction roles — combining training confidence-building, and real-world pathways into the industry.
Can Women Work in Construction?
Including women on construction project teams is not just a matter of equity — it drives results. Research shows that when construction companies build teams that reflect the clients and communities they serve, projects are more likely to succeed. Women bring unique perspectives and insights that help teams solve problems, improve communication, and deliver outcomes that align with client and stakeholder needs. By adding women to project teams, firms increase innovation, efficiency, and overall project value (Lanigan, 2020).
“If He Can, She Can.”
Are There Many Women in Construction?
Only 14.5% of the construction workforce as a whole is female, but shockingly that drops to just 2% when it comes to skilled manual trades” (Construction Management, 2019, citing CITB)
That statistic is exactly why DIY Her Way exists.
At DIY Her Way, we’re working to change that 2% by removing the biggest barriers women face when entering construction — access, confidence, and practical experience. Through free and accessible training courses, we’re helping women build real, hands-on skills, gain confidence with tools, and see construction as a space they belong in.
Change doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when women are actively supported to step onto site — and stay there.
Construction Women Around the World
According to Jonathan Jones (2025), women made up roughly 9% of the UK construction workforce for over a decade. Since 2016, their numbers have steadily increased, reaching 11.5% in 2023, with more than 1.3 million women now employed across the sector. This growth reflects initiatives aimed at boosting diversity, including targeted training programs and grants.
“She carries herself with confidence and capability.”
That’s what we at DIY Her Way are hoping to help change — shifting the culture of the construction industry. It doesn’t happen overnight, and we need the support of men within the industry to achieve meaningful change. But it starts with inclusion and a willingness to accept women on site. Organisations such as We Build Too are already demonstrating what’s possible when women are actively supported into construction roles — combining training confidence-building, and real-world pathways into the industry.
Building Equality and Strengthening the Industry
Women are not just filling roles, they are making construction stronger. By challenging outdated stereotypes, leading teams, and helping create safer, smarter workplaces, women are driving real change. Their inclusion expands the talent pool, sparks innovation, and builds healthier, more collaborative work cultures.
The future of construction is being built right now. To meet growing demand, embrace innovation, and stay competitive, the industry needs everyone. Women are not just part of that future, they are essential to it.
“Inclusion Builds Strength.”
Conclusion
Women are no longer just a minority in construction. They are essential to its growth, innovation, and success. Their skills, leadership, and perspectives strengthen teams, improve workplaces, and drive the industry forward. To build a stronger, smarter, and more inclusive construction sector, the industry must continue to support, hire, and empower women. When women lead, the future of construction and the world moves with them.
That is where DIY Her Way plays a vital role.
DIY Her Way exists to break down the barriers that have kept women out of construction for too long. By influencing women to see construction as a space they belong in, we are building confidence, challenging outdated stereotypes, and opening doors to new possibilities across the industry. Every conversation started, every woman inspired, and every story shared helps shift the culture of construction toward inclusion and equality.
When women are empowered to step onto site and stay there, the entire industry benefits. Construction becomes stronger, smarter, and more sustainable. The future of construction is being built right now, and DIY Her Way is proud to be laying the foundations for a more inclusive industry — one woman, one tool, and one opportunity at a time.
“When Women Move , The World Moves!”
References :
Jones, J. (2025, October 23). Women in the UK construction workforce. Construction Coverage.
https://constructioncoverage.com/research/cities-with-the-most-women-in-construction
Lanigan, C. (2020, May 20). A diverse team is better equipped to solve challenges. Construction Executive.
https://constructionexec.com/article/a-diverse-team-is-better-equipped-to-solve-challenges
We Build Too. (2025, August 4). Why women leave construction and why the industry can’t afford it.
https://webuildtoo.com/blog/why-women-leave-construction-and-why-the-industry-cant-afford-it
Chartered Institute of Building. (n.d.). Equality, diversity, and inclusion. CIOB. Retrieved from
https://www.ciob.org/industry/policy-research/policy-positions/equality-diversity-inclusion
Neil Gerrard, “Where are all the women on the tools?”, Construction Management, 1 March 2019 (citing CITB figures).