Shirley recently represented us at Celebrating Women in Construction 2026 in Rotherham, a networking event focused on how the industry can help create a brighter future for women through better collaboration, shared best practice and candid conversations about what still needs to improve. The event also featured the Mayor of Rotherham, who shared her own journey and experiences.

For us, it was an important opportunity to be part of a wider discussion around how construction and traffic management can become more inclusive, more accessible and more attractive to women considering a career in the sector.

Why Events Like This Matter

There is still a long way to go when it comes to representation but every journey starts with the first step.

Research shared as part of the event highlighted that women make up 11% of construction and traffic management roles, while only 1% are operatives. It also noted that the UK has one of the lowest proportions of female operatives, which shows just how important it is to keep pushing this conversation forward.

That is exactly why events like this matter. They create space for people to come together, share ideas, learn from each other and look at what practical steps can be taken to help break down barriers.

Shirley’s Role at the Event

Shirley, our head of talent acquisition and social value, was one of the key speakers on the day, speaking about how we work to attract, promote and encourage women into the industry, while also being honest about the fact that there is still more to be done.

That balance is important. Progress only happens when businesses are willing to talk openly not just about what is working, but also about what still needs to improve.

What Needs to Improve Across the Industry

The event materials highlighted several areas where the industry needs to do better for women. These included:

  • more flexible and part-time working options
  • better site facilities such as toilets
  • improvements in culture
  • better-fitting work clothing
  • more collaboration and sharing of best practice
  • more female-focused job fairs
  • better visibility of women already doing the work

These are practical issues, and they matter. If the industry wants to attract more women and keep them in the sector, then it must create an environment where people feel supported, represented and able to succeed.

What We Are Doing

This is something we care deeply about, and it is an area where we are continuing to take action.

The presentation shared a number of ways we are already working to make the industry more accessible and appealing to women. These include offering part-time contracts to provide flexibility, setting up a female support group and mentors, providing workwear specifically for women, celebrating International Women’s Day and related events, and working with Daruma to attract and train groups of women together. It also covered the work being done through early careers activity, teacher summits, female-led imagery and language in advertising, and a dedicated webinar arranged specifically for women.

These are all steps in the right direction, but we know this is not something that can be improved overnight.

Creating Real Opportunities

One of the key themes from the event was that attracting more women into construction and traffic management takes more than simply advertising jobs. It requires visibility, support, flexibility and a genuine commitment to creating opportunities.

That means showing real women in real roles, having honest conversations about the challenges, and making sure the support is there for people coming into the industry for the first time.

It also means continuing to learn from others, sharing best practice and working together as an industry rather than treating it as a box-ticking exercise.

Looking Ahead

The day in Rotherham was a positive reminder that there is real momentum behind this conversation.

We are proud that Shirley was there representing us, sharing what we are doing and contributing to an important discussion about the future of women in construction and traffic management.

For us, this is about building a stronger industry for the future. One that opens more doors, removes more barriers and gives more people the opportunity to build a career they can be proud of.

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