{"id":127526,"date":"2023-06-02T15:42:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-02T14:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=127526"},"modified":"2023-06-08T09:18:58","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T08:18:58","slug":"how-can-construction-leaders-create-diversity-strategy-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/hr-skills-news\/how-can-construction-leaders-create-diversity-strategy-works\/127526\/","title":{"rendered":"How can construction leaders create a diversity strategy that works?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Senior employee experience consultant at WorkBuzz<\/a> Ian Barrow considers how a stronger diversity strategy can help improve the representation of women, BAME and LGBTQ+ identities in construction<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s not sugar coat it: UK construction is an industry dominated by white men, and there is a lot that needs to be done to improve diversity, equality and inclusivity (DE&I) in the sector.<\/p>\n

However, as well as being morally the right thing to do, it also makes smart business sense, as a larger pool of diverse talent is a simple solution to the ongoing skills shortage.<\/p>\n

But how do construction leaders even start to tackle such a mammoth, industry-wide challenge?<\/p>\n

The answer lies in following a few key steps, from having the right leadership team through to realising the DE&I strategy \u2013 and each step has employee listening at its heart.<\/p>\n

In the UK, women make up just 15% of the construction workforce, with a mere 2% of these working onsite.<\/p>\n

Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups comprise just 6% of the workforce, with the same figure for employees with a disability.<\/p>\n

On top of this, 60% of LGBTQ+ construction workers have experienced homophobic or derogatory terms while at work.<\/p>\n

These figures from the Chartered Institute of Building<\/a> highlight the stark reality of working in construction \u2013 it\u2019s male, it\u2019s white, it\u2019s able-bodied, it\u2019s heterosexual, and anything else makes for an uncomfortable employee experience.<\/p>\n

Construction organisations that are more representative of UK society not only benefit their own employees, by giving everyone an equal chance to grow and excel, they\u2019re also more competitive, more robust, and more innovative. After all, with diversity comes new ideas and fresh approaches.<\/p>\n

The starting point is to take a look at senior leadership:<\/h3>\n