ConStructEd & Equate Tackle Gender Imbalance In Construction

Tuesday 22nd September sees the start of the third year of running the highly acclaimed “Equate Women at ConStructEd”. Since 2018 there has been a three fold increase in applicants who wanted this experience like no other. There were 38 women, currently studying built environment, at Scottish further education institutes that applied for the 30 places available.

The project will again see the participants form teams of ten and be challenged to construct a functioning wind turbine, mast and powerhouse that will generate electricity at the end of the three days. In their teams they will use the detailed drawings and excavate the ground before tying their re-enforcement cages and making Formwork for the Concrete which they will pour whilst ensuring they have risk assessed and produced safe methods of work for every task they have to undertake.

With the Construction Industry fully committed to addressing the gender imbalance within its workforce, at all levels, it is great to have the support of CITB and the companies Concrete Scotland-ExpLearn, Balfour Beatty and Aecom to help make this event happen.

The ConStructEd Scotland facility, within the Sibbald Training complex, on  the outskirts of Armadale, is ideal to challenge these young professionals in a simulated working environment that can create a real impact on all those involved.

Kimberley, West Lothian College, HNC Built Environment student said, "this is the most beneficial 3 days of my studying career so far. I learnt so much more than I ever thought I would in such little time!"

Kelly, Open University, BSc Environmental Engineering said, "the experience was exhausting, informative and empowering. I gained confidence in working with people I had never met and was proud of the team for pulling together and getting the job done."

(All image are from our 2019 programme, prior to social distancing measures)