NEW research has revealed that the number of women starting construction apprenticeships in the UK has risen dramatically in recent years.
A report from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has found 2,420 women started a construction apprenticeship in 2023-24. This compares to just 1,450 in 2018-19.
The findings, compiled using stats from the department for education, reveal a 67% increase. The news is further enhanced with CITB’s report also showing that the number of women completing their apprenticeships significantly increased over the same period. 340 women completed their construction apprenticeship in 2018-19, but this increased by more than 170% to 930 in 2023-24.
CITB said the rise in female starters and completions suggests a future with greater gender diversity in the industry. Changing attitudes towards gender roles and the introduction of policies aimed at promoting gender equality will help further decrease gender and skills gaps.
Earlier this week, CITB launched the 2025 Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction Awards. And in its recent Strategic Plan 2025 – 29, CITB listed one of its key objectives is to inspire and enable diverse and skilled people into construction.
Lucie Wright, head of careers strategy at CITB, said, “We need more women in construction. It’s incredibly heartening to see the number of women starting construction apprenticeships increasing – long may this continue. As an industry, we need to actively promote to as diverse a range of applicants as possible and make sure we get the conditions for working in the industry right for as many different people as possible.
“We recently launched the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction Awards 2025, back for the fourth year running. The programme is one of the ways we strive to recognise the wonderful women and allies who are driving real change in the construction industry.
“For any women thinking about their career options, I and CITB urge you to consider a career in construction. There’s so much to admire about the industry, and it’s a great place for women to work and thrive.”
Read the full report ‘Construction Apprenticeships 2025: Challenges. Opportunities. Support’ here.
