Bold initiatives to help build a more inclusive construction workforce

Jennifer Nisbet-Daly

Communications Executive, Construction Industry Federation

Women comprise approximately 9.4% of the construction workforce in Ireland, with 5% of skilled tradespeople being women.

Targeted initiatives are essential to attract women and girls into the construction industry, and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is committed to helping build a diverse workforce for the future.

Engaging students for industry awareness

The recently launched ‘Constructing Careers: School Edition’ programme, led by Shay Murtagh Precast and Bennett Construction, in collaboration with the CIF, aims to inspire students at secondary school level by offering in-depth insights into the varied roles and opportunities across the construction sector.

The pilot programme features experts from across the construction industry, including civil engineers, quantity surveyors, health and safety experts and project managers. They will highlight the sector’s evolving opportunities and diverse career paths. Students will engage in hands-on activities and research, exploring industry tools, technologies and skills.

Students will engage in hands-on activities
and research, exploring industry
tools, technologies and skills.

Partnerships fostering inclusivity

This year, the CIF hosted a workshop on boardroom diversity in partnership with Balance for Better Business, an independent review group dedicated to improving gender balance at boardroom level in Irish industry. Leaders from some of the country’s largest construction employers came together to discuss shared strategies for fostering greater gender diversity.

A key initiative in 2025 will be a diversity, equality and inclusion survey, which we will undertake in collaboration with Inclusio. This survey will establish a baseline and identify opportunities to attract and retain more women in the sector, laying the foundation for an ongoing benchmarking programme.

Event highlights construction careers

The centrepiece of CIF’s diversity initiative is our International Women’s Day Summit, which showcases the wide range of careers available to women in our industry, from boots on the ground to the boardroom. This year’s event will take place on 7th March at the Johnstown Estate, Co. Meath, with the theme ‘Accelerate Action.’ It underscores the importance of breaking down systemic barriers to gender equality. Now our largest annual event, this sold-out conference will welcome over 650 attendees.