Abstract
Construction is one of the least diverse sectors in the UK with only 13% of employees female, and 4%
of employees BAME (compared to the national population of 12%)1
. Yet growing research indicates
that diverse workforces lead to innovation with gender diverse companies 14% more likely to perform
better and ethnically diverse companies 35% more likely to perform better than non-diverse
companies2
. There is also a growing skills gap in the sector particularly with the expanding use of
technology acrosss the industry3
. Interviews with those in construction show that family is a major
influencer for those entering the industry. However, the industry cannot continue to rely on this
method if it is to address the current skills shortage and attract a wider diversity of entrants.
The BRIDGE (Building Routes Into Degrees with Greater Equality) project4
, a collaboration led by
Gateshead College with Northumbria University and Derby College, sought to address these
challenges through positively changing young people’s perceptions of the sector together with
challenging the construction sector to change its culture to become a more inclusive and thus more
attractive workplace. This paper focuses on the set of project interventions designed for young people
to challenge their perceptions and enhance their career knowledge of the construction sector.
of employees BAME (compared to the national population of 12%)1
. Yet growing research indicates
that diverse workforces lead to innovation with gender diverse companies 14% more likely to perform
better and ethnically diverse companies 35% more likely to perform better than non-diverse
companies2
. There is also a growing skills gap in the sector particularly with the expanding use of
technology acrosss the industry3
. Interviews with those in construction show that family is a major
influencer for those entering the industry. However, the industry cannot continue to rely on this
method if it is to address the current skills shortage and attract a wider diversity of entrants.
The BRIDGE (Building Routes Into Degrees with Greater Equality) project4
, a collaboration led by
Gateshead College with Northumbria University and Derby College, sought to address these
challenges through positively changing young people’s perceptions of the sector together with
challenging the construction sector to change its culture to become a more inclusive and thus more
attractive workplace. This paper focuses on the set of project interventions designed for young people
to challenge their perceptions and enhance their career knowledge of the construction sector.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Education, Design and Practice - Understanding Skills in a Complex World, Proceedings of the AMPS Conference, June 2019. |
| Place of Publication | New York |
| Publisher | AMPS - Architecture_Media_Politics_Society |
| Volume | 17.1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2020 |
Publication series
| Name | Education, Design and Practice - Understanding Skills in a Complex World |
|---|---|
| Publisher | AMPS Proceedings Series 17.1 |
| Number | 1 |
| Volume | 17 |
| ISSN (Electronic) | 2398-9467 |