Construction Council calls for industry action on diversity

The construction industry needs to work together to address its poor performance on diversity.

According to the Construction Industry Council (CIC), which represents the sector’s professional institutions, the sector is dominated by white, able-bodied men. Research undertaken by the University of West of England on behalf of CIC reveals that of the total numbers employed within the construction workforce:

• Just 13.5% are women
• Only 2% are within the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups
• 14% have some form of impairment

The report also reveals that there is a lack of available information on diversity with some institutions unable to provide any demographic breakdown of their construction labour force.

Comparisons were made with both the legal and medical sector, both of which, the Council says, are much more advanced in embracing equality and diversity in their workforce and have monitoring structures in place.

Keith Clarke, chairman of the CIC, said: “The construction sector should recruit a workforce that reflects our clients’ needs. A diverse workforce brings new skills, makes the sector more appealing to a wider pool of recruits and improves staff retention. And on an international scale, it gives us a competitive advantage.

"We can no longer afford to lag behind the legal and medical professions.”