Suffolk all female construction project highlights industry gaps

A couple trying to renovate their home using an all-female team said they had struggled to find women for certain roles.

Kat and Fi Parsons are in the process of renovating their home in Gosbeck near Needham Market, Suffolk.

The development has been ongoing since the start of the year, and the couple were keen to challenge a “male-dominated environment”.

However, Kat said finding women in particular roles had, in some instances, been “a nightmare”, highlighting where there were still gaps.

“There’s some gaps that we had,” she explained. “Scaffolding was a nightmare; we could not find a female scaffolder.

“There’s been some bits and pieces we’ve had to rely on some brilliant guys… it has been tough.

“Only 1% of the industry is women on tools, so we have had to be creative and use local resources.”

About 340,000 women are employed within the UK construction industry, according to Simian, one of the country’s leading construction and scaffolding specialists.

However, just 7% of executive roles are held by women.

Another of the roles needed was a glazier, but Kat said they could not find a female glazier “anywhere”.

Instead, she found Matt Baldwin, who will be working on 18 windows and three doors.

“Until we got involved with the project here, it wasn’t something we’d given much thought to,” he said on the lack of female glaziers.

“It amazes me that there aren’t really any female glaziers or window fitters around in the area.

“It would be good to see a few more get involved.”

Kat said while they still had “quite a lot to do”, she was “semi-confident” her and her family would be in the house by Christmas.