Empowering Women in the Building Materials Industry

Knauf, one of our Strategic Partners, talks about the big steps they’ve taken to empower women in their organisation.

We’ve been on an exciting journey this year, transforming how we approach gender diversity and inclusion.  Women have been historically underrepresented in our sector, but we’re making serious strides to change that.

In January, we launched our Women’s Network – Women in Knauf (WinK), where women can talk openly about topics affecting them, from IVF treatment and baby loss to building confidence, dealing with domestic abuse, and navigating menopause. These aren’t easy topics to discuss, but having a safe space makes all the difference.  Following these discussions, we have introduced fertility and menopause policies. Our fertility policy offers flexibility and support for those undergoing treatment and partners, while our menopause policy helps manage symptoms in the workplace. It’s all about ensuring our employees feel supported and valued, no matter what they’re going through.

We also know that to see more women in our industry, we need to start early. We’ve been partnering with local schools, talking to young people about the opportunities in the construction manufacturing sector. By sharing real-life stories of women in construction and showcasing the variety of roles available, we’re hoping to ignite some excitement and interest in a career path they might not have considered before.

When it comes to recruitment, we make sure there’s at least one female candidate on all shortlists whenever possible and involve female employees in pre-screening, interviews, and assessment days. This approach helps bring balanced perspectives and ensures female candidates feel welcome and understood from the start.  So far this year 41% of our new recruits have been females.

We’ve also set some ambitious global targets for internal promotions, with specific goals for promoting women. Actively tracking the number of women recruited, internally moved, and promoted, means we can see what’s working and where we need to improve.

By creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace, we’re not just attracting more women to the building materials industry; we’re empowering them to thrive and advance in their careers.

We’re committed to fostering an environment where everyone can achieve their full potential. Together, as part of the CIC, we’re building a stronger, more diverse, and innovative industry.

If you want to be part of the solution to build a better construction industry, please get in touch here.