WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
A review of contemporary initiatives in the United Kingdom,
and a proposal for international collaborative research

Barbara M Bagilhole BA PhD
Lecturer in Social Policy
Department of Social Sciences

Andrew R J Dainty BSc PGCE MFB
Teaching Assistant in Building

and

Richard H Neale BSc MSc CEng MICE FCIOB
Senior Lecturer in Building
Department of Civil and Building Engineering
Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, United Kingdom


ABSTRACT

	This paper discusses women's careers in a specific sector of science and technology: 
construction.  The construction industry plays a crucial part in the development process,
by providing the infrastructure on which most developmental initiatives depend, and as
a major employer of manual labour.  However, it is generally an industry that is poorly
understood, and consequently it is neglected, has a poor public image, and its employees
generally have low status.  It is an industry with some characteristics which
distinguish it quite clearly from other industries, and which make the implementation
of good employment practices difficult, for both men and women.  Generally, construction
companies have poor records as equal opportunity employers.  Fortunately, there are
now some very encouraging initiatives in the UK, which aim to enhance the extent and
quality of women's careers in the industry.
	
	A methodology is suggested by which an international collaborative programme of
research into the comparative career paths of professional women and men can be
pursued, as a first step to considering the issues and experiences internationally.

Key words:  women, construction, construction industry, development