I'm looking for an apprentice joiner to supplement my current team of ten. I've had an application from a female candidate, and I don't want to sounds sexist, but is it really a suitable job for a woman? What would I need to provide for her if I did take her on?
If the candidate has passed the initial tests, for example if she’s come to you through the ConstructionSkills Apprenticeship Scheme, then you know she’s capable of doing the job.
I can understand your concern though, as traditionally the craft trades have been almost exclusively male.
However it would make bad business sense to turn away almost 50 per cent of the workforce because they are female, especially when the industry needs 87,600 new recruits a year to meet demand.
There are other business benefits to recruiting a diverse workforce. Client expectations are changing and you can gain a competitive advantage by showing that you take an enlightened approach to training.
This is especially true in the public sector, where contractors have to demonstrate equal opportunities recruitment. The public sector commissions more than £30billion of construction work annually so it is worth taking them into consideration.
One construction client, John Bryson of Notting Hill Housing Trust, explains: “When we need refurbishment jobs in people’s homes we find that elderly people and lone parents prefer to have a woman in their home.”
Many companies are already reaping the business benefits of recruiting a diverse workforce, and it sounds like you could soon be one of them. Why not contact a Construction Skills Diversity Advisor to talk through some of the concerns that you have?
Related internet links:
Guide to the benefits of having a diverse workforce