Women in construction face healthy career prospects

18:50 24th April 2009

There are currently good prospects for women either pursuing a career change in the construction industry or developing their existing jobs, according to one firm.

Graham Arnold, centre manager for Construction Training London, spoke at the Careers and Jobs Live event at the ExCel, London, on April 19th and 20th and said that women are increasingly in demand to help balance out the workforce.

He said that there is a growing need for female workers as many clients are married women who, for religious reasons, cannot be in the house alone with a man other than their husband, while others are simply single women who are more comfortable having female workers in their home.

Mr Arnold said: "Some of the large companies will immediately look for women tradespeople and so therefore prospects are good for women who are in the construction industry."

He added that there are many initiatives underway to tackle the construction industry's macho image and encourage more women to seek the relevant training.

The Construction Products Association has predicted that construction output will fall by 12 per cent through the course of this year.