Following the exceptional success of their award-winning partnership with Women into Construction, the Hill Group has pledged to continue its platinum membership with the Cambridgeshire-based programme for another 18 months.
Designed to provide bespoke support to women wishing to work in the construction industry, Women into Construction works with housebuilders and contractors to recruit highly motivated, trained women, helping to reduce skills gaps and create a more gender-equal work-force. The successful partnership was recently awarded ‘Best training or recruitment initiative’ at the Housebuilder Awards 2020.
Over the last 18 months the workplace initiative, which operates within Hill’s Cambridgeshire region, has helped hundreds of women receive construction career advice and guidance, with 41 local women registering directly onto the programme to gain access to construction related training. The majority go on to undertake work placements, with Women into Construction offering them remote mentorship as they progress. The business has also worked with Women into Construction to deliver mandatory Group-wide Diversity and Inclusion training for their 650+ employees.
Tom Hill, Regional and Main Board Director at the Hill Group, commented: “I have been so impressed with the success of our Women into Construction programme as well as the calibre of candidates we have been able to help into the industry. Construction has historically been very male dominated and I’m proud Hill is strengthening its commitment to initiatives that move us towards a more gender-equal workforce. It is proven that greater equality in the workplace leads to increases in productivity and innovation, and for Hill, our involvement in Women into Construction is central to addressing the growing skills shortage.”
Shelley Lawrence, Project Manager, Cambridgeshire, Women into Construction, said: “I am delighted to be working with Hill for an extended 18 months to continue delivering the programme in Cambridgeshire. Hill’s continued sponsorship shows a positive commitment for change that not only supports their gender diversity aspirations, but supports the creation of a diverse talent pipeline for their supply chain and the wider local industry. We look forward to continuing this bespoke support in Cambridgeshire to encourage more women into construction.”
Pictured above from left to right: Tom Hill, Shelley Lawrence and Clare Smithson.
