Meet the women who are proving that construction is not just a man’s world

A leading lawyer in the construction industry has called for more women to get involved in the sector.
Rebecca Palmer, 42, who heads the construction department at Ipswich-based solicitors Prettys, has dealt with legal issues in the industry for more than 13 years.
Rebecca is keen to spread her message that the world of construction doesn’t always have to be a traditionally male-dominated one.
“It is very difficult to demonstrate to girls that construction is a viable option for them when they are simply unaware of the variety of opportunities open to them in this field,” she said.
“But when you scratch below the surface there are actually a whole host of engaging and rewarding careers for women in this industry.”
As a lawyer regularly meeting industry bosses, Rebecca says she frequently finds herself to be the only woman in the room. “When we are talking about senior positions within construction, women are few and far between.”
However, she does see more women involved in specific roles within surveying, architecture, project management and design. And she is passionate about construction being a rewarding area of the law.
“I chose it because it’s different to all other areas of law; the output is so positive and tangible,” she said.
“You are working together, in multi-disciplinary teams, towards the common goal of creating something physical with a broader purpose, typically contributing to the formation of a new workplace, school, home, museum, energy provider or others – the list is endless! It is something palpable and for me it has real meaning.
“I would encourage anybody, irrespective of gender, to consider construction as a career – with such a variety of roles there is something to suit every personality type and temperament, plus the benefit of a perceptible lasting legacy.”
Statistics released this month reveal that women make up only 14% of the workforce in the construction industry, with two per cent working as onsite operatives.*
Rebecca, a mother-of-two, urged schools to take a leading role in encouraging girls to take up careers in construction.
And she called on the industry to continue to build on its progress in offering workers flexible working hours wherever possible.
“A significant proportion of roles within construction offer particular challenges in accommodating the constraints of active family life, whether they be school timings or other key family commitments.