More than 100 companies from the built environment sector have signed a
charter committing to improving diversity and inclusion in the industry.
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) launched its Diversity &
Inclusion Charter in 2021 which asks businesses to sign up to five key
commitments to foster a more diverse and inclusive workspace.
They are purposefully tailorable to any size of organisation and environment
to facilitate maximum participation and acknowledge that not all firms have the
same resources to dedicate to the cause.
The five commitments are:
1 – Show leadership
2 – Make a plan
3 – Shape the culture
4 – Be transparent
5 – Be accountable
Signatories have been growing steadily since the launch and, in early
October 2022, Laing O’Rourke became the 100th organisation to add its signature
to the charter.
Mark Harrison, Head of EDI at CIOB, said: “Having 100 companies signed up to
the charter is a massive milestone for us and our industry and demonstrates
positive progress towards a more inclusive, welcoming, and representative
sector. Signing the Charter enables companies to show they want to help make
the industry more representative of the wider population and sends a message to
potential recruits that they want to attract the best talent from all walks of
life, which its recognised improves employee belonging and enhances credibility
with clients. The number of companies signed up to the charter continues to
grow and we look forward to even more opting to join.”
Construction remains a male-dominated industry across the globe. In the UK,
women make up around 15% of the construction workforce, with 2% of those
working on-site. This figure is even less for those from a Black, Asian and
Minority Ethnic (BAME) background who only make up 6% of the workforce. This
stark under-representation points to one obvious solution to the current and
on-going skills shortage in the Construction sector.
Mark added: “It’s important we also consider how the EDI agenda can be of
benefit to individual companies, the industry, and beyond. It also creates huge
potential for addressing the people and skills gap in the industry. With only
2% of on-site operatives currently being women, for example, there are some
obvious answers to this problem. We have such a broad range of existing and
developing roles in the sector that offer excellent careers. We need to make
sure we are attracting people with different, diverse life experiences, and
skills into these roles. That will be for the benefit of everyone working in
the sector and those making use of the buildings we produce.”
To sign CIOB’s Diversity & Inclusion Charter visit the website.
