WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

RESILIENT WOMEN WORKFORCE

IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

DR HARPREET SETH, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, HEAD OF ARCHITECTURE AND SENIOR DIRECTOR OF STUDIES, SCHOOL OF ENERGY, GEOSCIENCE, INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOCIETY AT HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY DUBAI

The construction sector in the Middle East region is booming at an unparalleled scale, with major movements in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Owing to a robust pipeline of projects, longterm development plans and investment strategies, the sector is expected to witness significant growth. In the UAE, a report by Global Data suggests that the construction industry is expected to grow by 3.3 per cent in 2023 due to high oil prices and increased investments in the energy sector. With a closer look, it is evident that the sector embraces a wide range of activities, products and skills including design, building, engineering, oil and gas, and consultancy. Despite being the key driver of economic growth and job creation in the Middle East region, the construction industry has struggled to increase women’s participation in the workforce. However, the sector has been witnessing a significant shift where women are taking up various roles including leadership positions based on their skills and experience. The growing opportunities in the region and the positive outlook for the construction industry have indicated immense possibilities for women to develop their careers in the construction sector. Dr Harpreet Seth, Associate Professor, Head of Architecture and Senior Director of Studies, School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society at Heriot-Watt University Dubai writes about the participation of women workforce in the construction industry. The economic disruptions have adversely impacted the employment scenario, particularly for women. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) indicated that globally, only 10.3 per cent of women are employed by the largest construction companies. Furthermore, the World Bank indicates that women’s participation in the workforce has been lowest in the MENA region. The government and industry stakeholders need to collectively take a stronger lead in articulating the roadmap to address issues like gender disparity and take critical steps to increase the participation of women in the industry. For instance, Saudi Arabia’s vision 2023 also highlights the need to boost women’s inclusion in the workforce and aims to increase participation from 22 per cent to 30 per cent. Aligning with the sustainable development goal of gender equality, the UAE government is also committed to increasing women’s representation in leadership positions across industries. Through robust policy framework and initiatives that are aligned

UPSKILLING WOMEN CAN POTENTIALLY BREAK DOWN CULTURAL AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL BARRIERS THAT MIGHT PREVENT THEM FROM CONSIDERING A PROFESSION IN CONSTRUCTION AS A POSSIBLE FIELD OF WORK.

with the UAE government’s direction, the UAE’s private sector is committed to maintaining the gender balance in the workplace, with a focus on increasing the representation of women in leadership positions to 30 per cent by 2025.

Whilst recruitment of women in the industry is important, the knowledge gap in transforming qualifications into employment and employment into retention remains a challenge. The construction industry is perceived as a tough and risky industry for women considering the tasks related to handling large equipment and the safety hazards which impose risks. Furthermore, the existing gaps in remuneration, and pressure to endure challenging working conditions than their male counterparts, also impose several barriers to creating a resilient work environment for women in the industry. These factors are contributing to a further polarisation of wages and working conditions which can be curbed only when women can have access to resources that help them reskill and upskill in a competitive and challenging field like construction. Technology adoption has been accelerated during the pandemic which has also impacted workforce deployment in many sectors including construction. The industry demands higher skills and caliber to handle advanced solutions like tech-enabled systems and processes. The construction sector also faces major challenges to reduce energy consumption and to improve the performance of buildings and construction materials. These challenges lead to the upskilling of the workforce, new professions and the modernization and further digitalization of the sector and will create a wide field of professions for women in construction. Upskilling women can potentially break down cultural as well as individual barriers that might prevent them from considering a profession in construction as a possible field of work. Encouraging younger women through women mentors within in the construction field can also contribute to increasing the women representation in the industry.

Businesses and industry leaders must encourage and educate young women about the benefits of working in the industry and offer equal opportunities to within the organisation. Mentorship, knowledge exchange and apprenticeship programs can strive to recruit women in the industry and train them with job-specific skills. Addressing the challenges like gender bias, inadequate training and resources and social perceptions can lead to increased participation of women in the workforce and can substantially narrow down the gender gaps. By making the required cultural changes, the construction industry can increase female representation which can significantly enhance the sector’s image.

Furthermore, businesses must assess the barriers faced by women and discuss ways of redressing the balance to improve inclusivity in the industry. This can be achieved by creating strong reforms, implementing policies for inclusion, and ensuring compliance with the health and safety of women to provide them with safe work environments and equal opportunities. Also, by providing flexible working environment and encouraging a sense of belonging for men and women alike.

Lastly, existing women professionals in the construction industry must also encourage the female talent pool by engaging in constant dialogue and exchanging perspectives through workshops, internships, and knowledgesharing platforms. They must inspire aspiring professionals to consider the construction industry as their career choice. Academics also plays a crucial role in shaping the workforce by fostering talent with education, awareness, and collaboration. A strong mandate involving academia, government and industry is key to achieving higher participation from women in the sector, encouraging a more defined and balanced construction workforce. For attracting, recruiting, and retaining women, work needs to be done at all 3 levels with more women supporting other women and men together with women creating an allinclusive environment.

Dr. Harpreet Seth