Championing women in construction: how to Accelerate Action this International Women’s Day 

After reaching a high of 343,000 in 2023, the number of women in construction roles has dwindled slightly over the past year reaching 325,000 in Q4 of 2024. 

With around 1.8 million men employed in comparison, this shows a clear need for construction companies to provide support to women embarking on careers in the industry. 

This year’s International Women’s Day is all about accelerating action – emphasising the importance of taking “swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality”, and addressing systemic barriers that women face both personally and professionally.  

As one of the leading modular construction companies in the UK, here at Thurston Group we’re keen to champion women in construction and manufacturing roles, and provide the support needed to help them flourish and succeed. 

From the hurdles that can come with working in a male-dominated sector, to the importance of having positive female role models and a supportive workplace culture, our team has been discussing the challenges and rewards of roles in modular construction.  

Lindsay Griffin has spent over twenty years working in the construction industry as a proposals manager, having joined Thurston Group last year. Whilst she’s seen positive change in her time in the industry, she notes that, “earlier in my career, a major challenge was getting technical information from the predominately male operational teams.” 

“They didn’t take me seriously, didn’t respect my deadlines, and gave me whatever information they deemed sufficient,” she continues. “Building a career in construction has been a journey of learning and collaboration. Early on, I really focused on developing my technical knowledge and working hard to build strong relationships with operational teams. Over time, through perseverance and a willingness to learn, fostering those great team dynamics is far easier, leading to stronger collaboration and even better results.”” 

HR director, Liz Scott, meanwhile mentions that she hasn’t faced specific challenges due to her gender, despite natural hurdles associated with working in a traditionally male-dominated field. “I’ve always found that by focusing on collaboration, delivering results, and continuously improving, those hurdles become opportunities for growth. The construction and manufacturing sectors are increasingly welcoming diverse perspectives, and it’s great to see more women stepping into leadership and technical roles.” 

Jia Ali, our HR advisor, notes that her experience in the modular construction industry has been defined by her “skills, expertise, and ability to contribute effectively to the business, rather than gender”, and champions Thurston’s “incredibly welcoming and supportive” team. 

Our head of procurement, Elizabeth Addy, also speaks about minimal negativity she has experienced in over 30 years of working in the industry, saying “there have been issues with suppliers who have had out of date ideas, but nothing that could not be solved with diplomacy”. 

As the construction industry looks to remove the barriers facing women from apprenticeship level all the way up to those in senior leadership teams, there are still plenty of positive things about being a woman working in the sector. 

Speaking from a HR standpoint, Liz mentions that the most rewarding aspect of working in construction and manufacturing is “the opportunity to support a workforce that is building something tangible and impactful.” 

She continues, saying “It’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of an industry where the work we do, whether it’s developing policies or fostering a positive culture, has a direct impact on the people who drive these projects.” 

Both Jia and Elizabeth mention the new challenges presented each day, with Jia discussing the “stimulating and rewarding environment” of the industry, and Elizabeth talking about the excitement of seeing products she’s worked on in an everyday environment. 

Lindsay welcomes the big changes that have come in her time in working in the construction industry, saying “it has been inspiring to have had the pleasure of seeing women, from apprentices to graduates to directors and every role in between, rise up and challenge the norm.” 

“I have known female engineers and commercial leads who have worked on major infrastructure and construction multi-million-pound projects, problem-solving daily whilst still being able to have a family… I have seen young female apprentices hold their own in meetings attended by middle-aged men and bring them on side through their knowledge and professionalism.”  

When it comes to encouraging more women to work in the modular construction industry, all the team highlight the importance of representation, and the need for visible role models in leadership and technical roles. 

The team also emphasised the need for inclusive and supportive work environments, with Liz saying the industry needs to ensure “inclusive environments where women feel valued, have equal access to opportunities, and aren’t deterred by outdated stereotypes. Here at Thurston, we’re continually working to ensure our culture reflects these values.”  

Lindsay talks about the importance of education, saying there’s a need to “educate girls early on the opportunities out there, break down gender typical roles by using women to inspire girls, and support them to be whatever or whoever they want to be.” 

For women who are looking into construction industry roles, Jia tells them, “do not be discouraged by the perception that the industry is male dominated.” 

“Stay confident, keep an open mind, and embrace the many learning opportunities available. The industry values talent, dedication, and hard work, regardless of gender,” she continues. 

This is echoed by Liz, who encourages women to have confidence in their abilities, and be proactive in their learning. “Embrace the learning process, seek out mentors, and engage with networks that will support your growth. Continuously developing your knowledge and expertise will set you apart, as these industries highly value skill and innovation,” she says. 

Elizabeth tells those seeking construction industry jobs “don’t be afraid to be the only woman”, while Lindsay talks about the legacy that those in the industry can leave behind them. 

Are you interested in embarking on a construction career with Thurston Group? We’re always looking for talented people that we can develop within our supportive and inclusive environment – visit our careers page for more information.