We held a Women into Construction event in Coventry

We partnered with Women into Construction (WiC) West Midlands to deliver a bespoke information event about our Women into Construction programme.

The event took place earlier this month at The Techno Centre in Coventry and was open to women of all ages with no prior experience of working in the industry necessary.

Over 20 women expressed interest in the programme and over 10 women attended the event. The session explained our Women into Construction programme, gave all attendees the opportunity to meet representatives from Citizen and WiC and enabled us to showcase the opportunities we have available for placements and employment in our Assets, Development and Maintenance Operations teams.

Representatives from our Asset Management, Development, Maintenance Operations and Organisational Development teams attended the event and our Director of Maintenance Operations Steve Kirk, our Director of Asset Management Paul Baker and Interim Director of People Rachel Thomason presented to the group outlining who Citizen are, why we matter, and what it means to work for us.

Building Surveyor Shelly Barr, Maintenance Supervisor Lauren Whittle and Gas Service Manager Julie Osbourne also attended and shared their experiences as women working in construction.

Our Interim Director of People, Rachel Thomason, said: “The event was a fantastic opportunity to support women into the construction industry.

“Collaborating with Women into Construction has enabled us to showcase our Women into Construction programme to a vast network of talented women interested in working in construction and looking for a platform to progress.

“The partnership is fantastic news for Citizen as it clearly demonstrates our commitment towards attracting, engaging, and retaining women in our workforce.

“As a member of Women into Construction we can advertise our job vacancies through their website, giving us the opportunity to significantly increase the number of women working in teams such as Asset Management, Maintenance Operations and Development.

“The event was a huge success with lots of women interested in our Women into Construction programme. We were impressed by the enthusiasm and talented women who attended the event. We were also delighted that a few fully qualified trades women joined us, and we are hoping they will be interested in a placement with us.

“I’m really proud that we’re playing a role in facilitating good-practice and raising awareness of the Women into Construction agenda across the West Midlands.”

What is our Women into Construction programme?

It’s a five-week programme starting on Monday 4 July 2022 and includes:

• Training in Level 1 Health and Safety – leading to a CSCS card which is essential for working on-site
• Personalised 1-2-1 support from Women into Construction – including covering transport and childcare costs
• Two-week work placement with Citizen

What happens after the five-week programme?

If candidates successfully complete the programme, they will be offered further remote mentoring and the chance to apply for a variety of available positions such as:

• Plumbing
• Carpentry
• Painter and Decorator
• Electrician
• Tenant Liaison Manager
• Gas Service Manager

Who are Women into Construction?

Women Into Construction is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that promotes gender equality in construction. They provide bespoke support to women wishing to work in the construction industry and assist to recruit highly motivated, trained women, helping to reduce skills gaps and create a more gender-equal work force.

Their vision is to be the construction industry’s organisation of choice for women and contractors, and to change the face of construction, normalising the position of women in the construction industry.

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