Inspiring and influential women working in the construction industry are being encouraged to enter a prestigious national awards competition.
Entries are now open for this year’s CITB Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction Awards, celebrating the women and non-binary people making their mark on the traditionally male-dominated sector.
Women make up just 13.6% of construction workers according to the Office for National Statistics, with the awards hoped to inspire more people into the industry by showcasing the amazing work they do.
Categories include Local Hero, One to Watch and the Most Influential Educator in Construction.
This year’s event is being hosted by previous winner Clare Friel, Founder of Women in Construction Anglia, through her marketing agency, Friel.
She said: “No night is a greater celebration of women in the construction industry than the CITB Top 100.
“I know first-hand how inspiring these awards are – and their message has been the driving force between so much of what we do in my business.
“To go from winning an award to hosting the event is an incredible feeling.
“There is so much female and non-binary talent in the sector and we cannot wait to play our part in shining a light on those making the industry a diverse, inviting and above all inspiring place to work.”
Other previous winners include Siu Mun Li, an experienced engineer who has worked for numerous Tier One firms across the UK.
She said: “Winning my award in 2023 was a hugely proud moment for me – and it has helped open so many doors to exciting opportunities, working alongside fellow pioneers who want to positively reshape our industry.
“These awards haven’t just created an incredible community of likeminded professionals, but helped identify new role models to inspire the next generation.
“I implore any woman in the sector to put their name forward. It really is a night like no other.”
Judging will be led by CITB and its independent panel of industry experts.
Deborah Madden, Executive Director, Nations Engagement at CITB, added: “We want to foster an inclusive and welcoming space that recognises and celebrates the achievements of all women within the construction industry, acknowledging the diverse experiences, contributions and leadership that shape our sector. That is exactly what the Top 100 Women awards is all about.
“We’re delighted to bring them back for the fourth year with some new categories, but with the same goal of celebrating and bringing together amazing women – and their allies – that are doing fantastic things across the industry.
“We hope that these awards, along with our programme of allies’ workshops, will encourage more women to consider a career in construction.”
Entries to this year close at midnight Friday, June 6 – with all finalists invited to a gala awards ceremony at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on September 18.
More information on the awards and how to enter can be found here: https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/top-100-most-influential-women-in-construction/.