International Women’s Day 2022: female construction trainees in Salford to help break down industry barriers

A group of young women who are training for careers in the construction industry in Greater Manchester are aiming to change perceptions of a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Salford landlord ForHousing is launching a new trainee programme on International Women’s Day 2022 (8 March).

Currently just 3.4% of people working in certain roles within construction are women.

The young female trainees, though, are hoping to change that and inspire more women to take it up as a potential career.

What is the trainee programme and how does it work?

The School Links programme is set to start in September at ForHousing’s skills centre in Salford and will give key stage four learners a Level 1, multi-trade construction qualification.

It will concentrate on hands-on experience to get young women excited about working in the industry.

Classes of between 10 and 15 women will learn key skills such as joinery, tiling and bricklaying.

School Links is working with Salford City Council to arrange guest talks from women already in the industry to show the learners what they can eventually go on to do and establishing partnerships with schools and colleges to spread the word about the course.

The young women, aged 15 and 16, will receive careers support throughout the course, and each learner will be supported by a transition worker for advice on next steps for further training or education and employment.

ForHousing also hopes the inaugural cohort will become ambassadors for the programme to encourage more teenage girls to follow in their footsteps.

What has been said about the course?

ForHousing spoke of its ambition to bring more women into construction and how it was tying the launch of the trainee scheme into the theme and main messages of this year’s International Women’s Day.

Colette McKune, ForHousing CEO and prominent equal rights campaigner, said: “What will set the course apart is how it will explore any false perceptions, fears or practical issues that might stop young women considering careers in construction.

“We are committed to creating more possibilities for more people and this opportunity will open so many more doors for young women in Salford.

“This year’s campaign theme of ‘Break the Bias’ focuses on how we can create communities free of bias and stereotypes.

“The new course will give young women the chance to try something they might never have thought was possible for them. We are already excited to see what this cohort can go on to achieve,”