Empowering young women at inspiring ‘hands-on’ event

 We have proudly co-hosted our third annual Women in Construction event for year 9 pupils at our decarbonisation hub Tŷ Gwyrddfai in Penygroes. They were joined by Careers Wales, who helped organise the event. 

This year, pupils were selected from Ysgol Eifionydd, Ysgol Glan y Môr, Ysgol Tryfan and Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen. This event, designed to break down gender stereotypes and encourage young women to explore opportunities in the construction industry, proved to be an outstanding success. 

The event included a series of interactive hands-on activities, including plastering, insulating, infrastructure and interior design, all aimed at introducing 60 girls to the diverse and exciting world of construction. We’re committed to promoting inclusivity and this event aimed to attract more women into social housing, demonstrating that the industry offers a wide variety of opportunities for everyone.  

Having a hands-on activity is a lot more engaging for the young women than looking at a prospectus, and Charlotte Robinson from Webber gave a plastering demonstration at the event. Plenty of girls wanted to have a go! Charlotte said, 

“Being a woman in construction is empowering, and there’s no reason why more women shouldn’t be working in these jobs. I want to see more women represented in this industry.” 

Building on the success of the previous years, we were delighted to witness a surge in enthusiasm from both participants and supporters. The morning’s agenda included 4 ‘give it a go’ workshops from Saint Gobain/Webber, Altro, Griffiths and Saer Architects.  

Llinos Bracegirdle, Aour Social Value Co-Ordinator, said “It was a dream to see 60 young women receiving these opportunities and experiences on their doorstep. Academi Adra was established to give young people a leg up into the world of work, and I’m really proud to bring more diversity into the construction industry by hosting events like these. 

“We remain dedicated to breaking down barriers that may discourage young women from pursuing careers in construction. By providing hands-on experiences and showcasing the variety of roles available, and we aim to inspire the next generation of female leaders in the industry.”