Educate, Inspire and Empower
Educate, Inspire and Empower
Constructing Change is a dynamic initiative addressing systemic issues within the construction industry by fostering collaboration with the education sector, industry leaders, and key stakeholders, including Contractors, Consultants, Supply Chains, and Government, Academia and Institutions.
We break barriers for women and marginalised groups, inspire young people from underprivileged backgrounds to explore careers in construction and drive impactful change through collaboration and advocacy.
Together, we’re building a more inclusive and socially responsible industry for the future.
Constructing Change is built on four core principles that underpin our mission. They serve as a foundation for our activities, collaborations, and mission, fostering unity among organisations and stakeholders committed to advancing positive change across the sector.
Construction has traditionally been male dominated, with cultural barriers deterring women. Women making up just 14% of the workforce and ethnic minorities accounting for less than 6% (CITB, 2023). Additionally, only 9% of construction apprenticeships are taken up by women, highlighting persistent gender disparities (NAO, 2023). Social mobility also remains limited, with many young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, unaware of the diverse career opportunities available in the sector.
Why should we step up our efforts for gender equality in construction? Because in 2019, GMB, the construction union, estimated that it would take nearly 200 years for the construction sector to achieve gender equality. Meaning the number of women in construction will not equal men until 2194.
The industry remains male-dominated, and increasing diversity is key to driving inclusion and addressing labour gaps.
Women face barriers in trades, and removing them is vital for equity and meeting workforce demand.
Addressing the pay gap is essential for fairness and attracting more women to the industry.
Attracting diverse talent is crucial to overcoming the skills shortage and building a strong workforce.
With 140,000 current vacancies and a projected need for 937,000 new workers by 2032, the construction industry must evolve to meet demand. But attracting workers is not the only crisis the industry faces.
Within the industry, there is an alarmingly high rate of suicide, with construction workers being three times more likely to die by suicide than the general population (Office for National Statistics, 2023).
Constructing Change was born to address these issues head-on, creating a platform that champions diversity, fosters inclusion, and bridges the gap between the construction and education sectors. By empowering underrepresented groups and opening pathways for social mobility, and supporting suicide awareness and prevention, we can collectively build a future where the construction industry truly reflects the communities it serves and safeguards those working within it.
Want to know more about why Constructing Change was born? Read the blog from our CEO Elizabeth Griffin Bennett here.
We bring construction to life, in collaboration. Constructing Change targets young people, ages 13-16, at key points in their school journey.
Importantly, Constructing Change facilitates a connection. A connection to construction, to professional individuals and industry leading organisations. This in turn is our legacy – empowering and enabling young people to remain connected with Constructing Change members providing opportunities for work placements, apprenticeships and employment.
Our signature programme Educate: Learning In Action is an immersive program that brings young people to live construction sites to showcase the many diverse roles within the sector.
At the heart of Constructing Change is a powerful network of partners united by a shared vision for a more inclusive and innovative construction industry. From government agencies and leading contractors to educational institutions and community organisations, our collaborations enable us to create meaningful opportunities, foster diversity, and amplify our impact. By working together, we combine strengths, share expertise, and build a brighter future for the construction sector and the communities it serves.
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