The Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) has received the Women’s Network of the Year award at the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Awards
The ICE Connects: Women in Fellowship initiative has won the award for its work in encouraging women to apply for the highest grade of ICE membership.
The initiative was launched on International Women in Engineering Day 2021, and has since driven more than 90% growth in the number of female fellows in ICE.
Representation of women in ICE has grown
In just five years, the initiative has helped increase women’s representation at the grade from 5% to 10%, and earlier this year, ICE approved its 500th female fellow.
Female fellows have come from a range of different professional backgrounds, including civil engineers, contract lawyers, and economists from government roles.
ICE Connects: Women in Fellowship was established to help create a more welcoming environment for women interested in the field and create a space where they can showcase and utilise their expertise and experience, via global networking, inspiration events, and panel discussions with industry leaders. This includes its flagship event, an international panel encouraging women in civil engineering and infrastructure to pursue a fellowship.
Women considering a fellowship can and often are incited by other successful applicants to hear experiences and receive guidance from peers, and many applicants have said that their experiences thanks to Women in Fellowship is what encouraged them to apply themselves.
Jenny Green, director of regions, ICE who attended the Inspiring Women in Construction & Engineering Awards in London yesterday evening said, “When we started the ICE Connects: Women in Fellowship programme, we wanted it to have an impact, but its success has surpassed our ambition.
“We know that women remain underrepresented at the most senior leadership levels across the built environment sector and to see this initiative making a difference, increasing representation and women’s confidence is fantastic.
“We need to keep making progress but are so pleased to have our efforts so far recognised with this award.”
Other bodies are supporting women in construction
In August, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) launched the ninth cohort of its Women into Home Building programme, funding women for an opportunity to gain hands on experience in the housebuilding industry.
The funding covers one week of online training and industry insight sessions, and two weeks of an in-person work experience placement on site.
Andy George, director of industry attraction and skills at the Home Builders Federation, said: “Women into Home Building is expanding the industry’s access to a wider pool of talent while giving more women a clear route to explore the opportunities available in home building. By combining industry insight with practical experience, the programme can help challenge misconceptions about careers in the sector and give participants the confidence and knowledge to take their next step.
“It is extremely encouraging to see the programme reach its ninth cohort and continue providing women across the country with direct experience of working in home building. The range of opportunities available across the industry is extensive, and programmes like this help make those careers more visible and accessible.
“I would encourage any woman who is interested in finding out whether a career in home building could be right for them to apply. We look forward to welcoming the next group of participants in November and seeing where the experience takes them.”
