Women into Construction Launch and Celebration
Women into Construction (WiC), part of the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics, became a Community Interest Company, that promotes gender equality in construction and marked this significant change on 3 June 2015. As part of its annual achievement event, the evening also celebrated the progress of women WIC supported last year. Over 160 people representing the construction industry, partner organisations and women benefiting from the service attended the event.
Kath Moore, Managing Director of WiC, highlighted WIC’s support of 49 women into work-placements and 50 women into construction related jobs over the last year. 37 of these attended the event to receive their awards in advancing their career in construction.
Adrian Belton, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), presented the awards and spoke passionately about the benefits of introducing construction to a younger audience and encouraging greater diversity within the industry. Simon Wright OBE, Programme Director Crossrail, recognised the role of contractors in creating work opportunities and presented contractors with certificates. He expressed Crossrail’s commitment to working with WIC to enhance diversity within the industry. Since January 2015, 11 women have gained work experience on Crossrail with four already securing job offers.
Partner organisations were also recognised with awards presented by Jennette Arnold OBE and London Assembly member. She was struck by the diversity of women within the audience – this year’s figures for women from black and ethnic minority backgrounds into paid employment is 52 per cent.
We are delighted to be celebrating Women into Construction as an independent not for profit organisation. The launch was very well received and concluded with an opportunity for contractors, partners, supporters, women working in the industry as well as WiC staff, to meet and exchange experiences.
