The BUSUnited Community of Practice 7 (CoP7) organised the webinar “Gender balance in the design and construction industry” on 16 September, bringing together European stakeholders to discuss women’s participation in the construction sector and share initiatives aimed at promoting a more inclusive workforce.
The event addressed the challenges faced by the sector in attracting and retaining new talent, at a time when the construction industry is experiencing labour shortages and growing skills needs linked to the green and digital transitions. The webinar focused on practical experiences and initiatives covering training, access to employment, career development and the attractiveness of the sector for women.
The programme featured several European initiatives, including Women Can Build, presented by Beatriz Oliete, Head of International Projects at Fundación Laboral de la Construcción. Other contributions included the Construction Women of the Year Award in Sweden, Women Empowered in Construction, Boss Ladies in Denmark and the Women in Digital – WIDCON Index & Scoreboard. The presentations were followed by a panel discussion and a Q&A session.
The webinar also highlighted the importance of connecting gender equality with skills development. This is closely aligned with the objectives of Construction Blueprint 2, which is working to address current and future skills needs in construction and promote a more inclusive and attractive sector. The project has specifically highlighted the importance of attracting new talent, including women and young people, as part of the transformation of the European construction workforce.