A number of top companies from across the North East have come together in order to help advance the promotion of the construction industry to women. The companies got together for this recruitment drive at an event which took place at Hartlepool College of Further Education.

The North East branch of the National Association of Women in Construction announced their continuing Professional Development event. Tis event saw 13 women from the construction industry invited to take part in a series of hands-on bricklaying and joinery challenges. The women invited to take part in this event ranged from students to Managing Directors.

Research has shown that women only make up 12.8% of the construction workforce in the UK. Earlier in the year a survey was commissioned by the housebuilding company Keepmoat that illustrates only 13% of women aged between 16-25 would consider going into a career in construction.

The organisations that attended this recruitment and promotion drive at Hartlepool College for Further Education included Construction Excellence North East, WSP Seymour Civil Engineering, Seymour Architects, Working Well together North East, Emerald Architects, Gateshead Housing Company and Lambert Smith Hampton. There were also six Construction and Built Environment students from Hartlepool College that assisted with the challenges held as part of the event.

The Head of Construction at Hartlepool College for Further Education, John Cartwright hosted the event and has said that these occasions are an essential part of the work needed to inspire the next generation of learners as well as demonstrate to female students just how successful they can be and the opportunities on offer. There is a rich variety of roles and opportunities available in the construction industry and it is important that more women are encouraged to consider this industry as a career path. Events such as this one helps to dissolve misconceptions that the construction industry is a career path just for men.