Women into Construction closure: Comments from Jon Howlin, CEO at The Skills Centre

Jon Howlin, CEO of The Skills Centre, comments on the announced closure of Women into Construction after 16 years of operation:

Jon Howlin commented: “I was truly saddened to hear the news about Women into Construction closing its doors after 16 years of incredible work. Kath Moore MBE and her team have made a tremendous impact on our industry, supporting thousands of women and helping to break down barriers in construction.

At The Skills Centre, we’ve been proud to collaborate with Women into Construction on several programmes, helping many women start their careers in this field. Their closure is a significant loss, but it also reminds us of the importance of the work that still needs to be done.

The numbers — 4,700 women supported, 1,300 placed in employment—are a testament to the change that can happen when we work together. But this journey isn’t over. We now have to think about how we can build on what’s been achieved and ensure that the momentum isn’t lost.

This is a time for all of us in the industry to come together, to keep pushing for diversity, and to make sure the progress we’ve seen continues. We’re committed to this at The Skills Centre, and we know that with the support and collaboration of our industry, we can keep moving forward.

Thank you to Kath and her team for all they’ve done. Let’s honour their legacy by continuing to open doors and create opportunities for everyone in construction.”

The Skills Centre is one of the UK’s leading construction skills training companies with centres in central London, Kent, Cardiff and the West Midlands. The Skills Centre specialises in training and apprenticeships for groundwork, formwork and steel fixing, and its learners and apprentices work on major projects across the UK, including HS2, Everton Football Ground, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Canada Water.

The Skills Centre’s ambition is to transform lives, creating local opportunities for local people and opening the doors to a career in construction through collaboration with industry and community leaders.