Skip to content
FEMCON - final logo

The future of the construction industry in the EU is threatened by a chronic labour shortage exacerbated by the COVID crisis. The shortage of construction workers in the EU is expected to increase in the future due to a declining population and an ageing workforce FEMCON will develop innovative vocational education & training that will assist women working in or considering a career in construction industry to progress to visible roles within the industry.In so doing, FEMCON will increase the attractiveness of the industry for others, thus leading to a greater number of women choosing the sector.

Our VET aimed education will further impact female workforce in the construction industry across Europe, to become aware of their rights to equality in the industry & to utilise their skills in the industry towards their careers progression, thus creating conditions for positive change to happen, improving the industry outlooks & these groups’ quality of life.

Our women in construction project seeks to build a better future together by diversifying and improving the construction site of the future to include more women. Creating an inclusive environment for a gender diverse construction site and quarry for the benefit of society as a whole.

Through education and training programmes, we hope to create a cultural shift in attitudes towards women involved in construction and quarrying, develop and support career pathways for girls and women into construction and quarrying, normalise construction and quarrying as a career choice for girls and women, develop accessible educational programmes for all school goers and develop a pathway for career changers.

1

The future of the construction industry in the EU is threatened by a chronic labour shortage exacerbated by the COVID crisis. The shortage of construction workers in the EU is expected to increase in the future due to adeclining population and an ageing workforce

2

Across Europe, women make up only 9% of the construction workforce, leaving a huge talent pool that is not being used. The number of women in construction has fallen even further during the pandemic years.

3

The EU construction industry needs to employ more women if it is to have a sustainable future. According to EUROSTAT, the construction sector has the highest percentage of male employees (92%).

one

Target Groups

Women who belong to the construction industry workforce:For the Vocational Education and Training institutions and practitioners, FEMCON aims to: inform about the state of the construction industry and the workforce challenges, inform about the equality and inclusion challenges for women in this industry, inspire and empower to take action towards the positive change in the construction industry.

two

Vocational education and training institutions and practitioners VET: For the Vocational Education and Training institutions and practitioners, FEMCON aims to: inform about the state of the construction industry and the workforce challenges, inform about the equality and inclusion challenges for women in this industry, inspire and empower to take action towards the positive change in the construction industry, and better representation of the female workforce, as well as protection of their rights, educate on how to create an action plan to reach these objectives, equip with resources and training materials needed to train both construction companies management and key staff and female workforce groups.

three

Construction companies: FEMCON aims to: Inform about the state of the construction industry and the workforce challenges, inform about the equality and inclusion challenges for women in this industry, inspire and empower to take action towards the positive change in the construction industry, and better representation of the female workforce, as well as protection of their rights, educate on how to create an action plan to reach these objectives, build bridges, a platform that links them to VET institutions and helps them better communicate with the female workforce

four

Vocational education and training institutions and practitioners VET: For the Vocational Education and Training institutions and practitioners, FEMCON aims to: inform about the state of the construction industry and the workforce challenges, inform about the equality and inclusion challenges for women in this industry, inspire and empower to take action towards the positive change in the construction industry, and better representation of the female workforce, as well as protection of their rights, educate on how to create an action plan to reach these objectives, equip with resources and training materials needed to train both construction companies management and key staff and female workforce groups.

Operational Goals

  • FEMCON INCLUSION REACH & TEACH toolkit: A vocational education and training tool to support women in the construction industry.

  • FEMCON CURRICULUM: Open Education Resources for VET educators to empower women in construction.

  • FEMCON Women in Construction Good Practice Showcase: A collection of 35 case studies presented via video to inspire women and highlight good practices in the industry.

  • FEMCON Women in Construction Platform & online course: A platform and online course for collaboration and learning.

Untitled design (1)

FEMCON News

Mary Whitney, Director of Education, recently attended a project meeting in Freiburg, Germany, where she engaged in insightful discussions on FEMCON’s project results.

We express our sincere appreciation to the research participants from the industry for their valuable time, insights, and unwavering commitment to the construction sector, which has significantly contributed to the development of the FEMCON project’s innovative vocational education and training tools for women in the construction industry.

FEMCON 1
IMG-20231212-WA0005

Our Partners

FEMCON
momentum
Future Cast logo 1
outside logo
not logo
de la logo
Europe