The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has highlighted the need for more women to be working in the construction industry. This would enable Ireland to meet its building targets.
CIF director general Tom Parlon says that, “With a major demand for more workers we have to be exploring all avenues for attracting additional talent. Women account for approximately half of the overall labour force in this country, but still less than one in 10 of the people working in our sector is female.”
Figures show that there are 14,400 women employed in the industry, but this needs to increase as staff shortages are creating challenges for building demands such as increased housing.
Over 50,000 residential units are expected to be built between now and the end of 2023 and over 30,700 housing units were started last year, a 42% increase on 2020. However, the construction sector is now under pressure due to Covid-related absences and labour shortages.
Central Statistics Office (CSO) stats show that women make up just over 9% of the construction workforce, despite the industry having the highest level of women working in it on record. One in four construction jobs added last year went to a female candidate, and Mr Parlon says that this momentum needs to continue. “Clearly that also involves breaking any biases that remain in the Irish construction sector,” Parlon stated.
With the continued expansion of the sector and the requirement of an additional 1,000 workers per month, the CIF believes that the industry will need to make further inroads into improving the ratio of female employees in the industry not only to create a more equal workforce, but to help achieve building targets as well.
LSL News.