Is the industry lacking flexibility?

The Industrial sector is well-known for predominantly being a male dominated industry. And yet, in 2017, is it still a patriarchy industry?

A report from Think Tank, London, from a few years ago discovered that less than 1.2% of women are working in construction and the trades sector. In comparison, in the 50’s, this percentage was closer to 4%, so what was chasing away women from this industry beforehand, is still here and going strong!

As for women working in jobs such as roofers, bricklayers or glaziers, a survey from the Office for National Statistics discovered that because the numbers were so low, they were unmeasurable. After these studies became public, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has introduced an initiative to inspire more women and people from diverse backgrounds into construction roles.

A more recent report regarding the race inequality in the UK has re-surfaced and went viral across Europe, as it is still an international issue. In the BBC article, a woman from Birmingham described how she attended, and was rejected from, several interviews which she considered to have gone well. However, she was immediately accepted following on from a first interview she attended, when she didn’t wear her headscarf. This can be easily classified as a lesson from a jobseeker who was rejected for a religious reason. However, this is just one of the many reasons employers can discriminate, subconsciously or not.

Needlessly to say, there are not many reports on this regard made in the Industrial sector, as the numbers change very slowly or not at all.

But the situation is changing in the North East, with more roles becoming available within the Industrial sector. With events such as Black Friday and Christmas approaching, more temporary or permanent roles are becoming available in sectors such as food manufacturing.

At Westray, we aim to encourage and showcase women and minorities working across all industries, from entry level to the top of the ladder.