Next generation of women in construction gain hands on experience

Thirty female students from three Lancashire schools took part in hands-on construction workshops at Preston College, aiming to inspire more young women to pursue careers in the building industry.

The event, titled ‘Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Construction’, was organised by the North West Construction Hub (NWCH) and brought together Year Nine pupils from Archbishop Temple Church of England High School, Christ the King Catholic High School, and Garstang Community Academy.

During the event, the students tried out practical skills in bricklaying, plastering, carpentry and joinery, gaining first-hand insight into construction trades that remain largely male-dominated.

Two guest speakers—Hope Doran, a trainee quantity surveyor at VINCI Building, and Clare Hedingham, head of property at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service—shared their experiences of working in the sector and encouraged the students to consider construction as a viable and rewarding career path.

According to industry data, women make up around 15% of the UK construction workforce, with just 1% in manual trades and 7% in executive roles. With the UK construction sector needing an estimated 250,000 new workers by 2027, attracting more women is seen as critical to addressing the skills shortage.

Lancashire students

Ian Hall, framework lead at NWCH, said the event was aimed at making a difference early:

“With these students now making their GCSE choices, this was a valuable opportunity to showcase the diverse career paths in construction. Engaging young people—especially girls—at this stage can help change perceptions and encourage broader participation in the industry.”

The event was hosted in partnership with Preston College, with support from framework contractors MC Construction and VINCI Building.

Zac Wilkinson, assistant director of construction at Preston College, emphasised the importance of representation:

“Events like this are key to challenging outdated views and giving young women the confidence to picture themselves as future professionals in construction—whether on site or in leadership roles.”

The North West Construction Hub is a public sector framework supporting projects across local government, emergency services, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The organisation says it plans to replicate similar events in other regions to widen outreach and improve gender diversity across the sector.