Skills development programme for women in construction engineering
(09/01/2008)

London 2012 has presented women in construction with one of the most high profile opportunities to fulfil career ambitions in a non-traditional sector. Women in the construction industry currently account for just 9% of the total workforce and alarmingly only one tenth of this figure work in professional occupations. everywoman’s training courses will equip women working both in vocational and management positions with the necessary skills to achieve their career potential.

The following courses are offered by everywoman due to the organisation successfully winning a contract from Construction Skills and the Learning and Skills Council “Train to Gain” initiative. The funding is enabling everywoman to provide heavily reduced rates for management qualifications NVQ Levels 3, 4 and 5 starting at the subsidised price of £585 (normally £2700). All levels aim to ensure competence in a wide variety of activities and contexts in addition to considerable responsibility and autonomy.

everywoman’s Leadership Development Programme is now £500 (normally £1450). everywoman spent over eighteen months creating a bespoke training scheme for women leaders. Thanks to the funding, this programme has been specially adapted to focus on the core skills needed by female management within the construction sector.

This project has the full support of Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, who says: “With key skills in areas of work traditionally dominated by men, such as construction, engineering and transportation at a huge shortage, and major infrastructure projects, like the East London Line, Thames Gateway and the 2012 Games just 5 years away, there has never been such an economic imperative for London to attract and retain the best talent.

I am determined that women in London will play a valued and equal role in building the future of London’s economy. We want all companies we work with to demonstrate that women are being developed and trained at all levels, helping them to get into sustainable and engaging work and that they are taking steps to open up the field at management and senior levels.

The pilot project being run by Everywoman Ltd to provide women in construction engineering and transport with much needed skills development, particularly in the area of management, will greatly assist companies in this area.”