Building a better industry together

When people first hear about We Build Too, they sometimes assume it’s about replacing men in construction. That’s not just wrong, it misses the point entirely.

We’re not building an “us vs them” culture. We’re building an industry where everyone can thrive. One that recognises that women bring different perspectives, skills, and needs; and that diversity is a strength, not a threat.

The system isn’t working for anyone

Women make up just 2% of on-the-tools roles in the UK, and many face sexist stereotypes, unsafe environments, and a lack of visibility. But here’s what’s often overlooked: men are struggling too.

Renowned psychotherapist and author, Jennifer Cox, describes how men are “caught within a system in which roles are still so crudely and stereotypically drawn” in “a world that seeks to polarise and divide the sexes.” 

Construction has one of the highest suicide rates of any UK sector, three times the national average. Irregular hours, high-pressure environments, and a culture that discourages vulnerability take their toll.

The system, built on outdated gender expectations, isn’t just pushing women out; it’s hurting men too.

An Industry under pressure

The BBC recently reported on the urgent skills shortage in construction, with a young male worker interviewed on the radio saying it’s going to be “stressful” to meet the government’s housing targets under current pressures. And yet, half the population is being excluded from even trying to help solve this crisis.

It’s not that women don’t want to do this work; many do, but they’re not given the same space, training, or conditions to succeed. And girls in school often aren’t even aware it’s an option.

When the industry is crying out for more workers, this exclusion isn’t just unfair - it’s irrational!

Right now, the sector is effectively limiting its own capacity to grow, innovate, and meet demand by excluding 50% of the population.

Why women’s inclusion matters

Including women in construction isn’t about ticking a diversity box; it’s about fixing the system.

By creating workplaces that welcome and support women, we also:

• Reduce the culture that fuels poor mental health and unsafe practices.

• Encourage problem-solving and empathy in leadership and teamwork.

• Open the door to innovation, new ways of working, and better customer experiences.

As one tradeswoman told us in our research:

“I don’t care if I’m the only girl, I’m going to do this.”

That resilience, combined with the creativity and adaptability that young girls and women channel every day to navigate societal barriers, benefits everyone on site, not just women.

A new standard for quality

Right now, customer trust in the industry is low. Many homeowners, regardless of gender, report frustration, disappointment, or feeling unsafe when hiring tradespeople.

Imagine an industry where diversity isn’t a PR campaign but the standard for quality. Where teams are built on respect and collaboration, and innovation thrives because people from different backgrounds work together to solve problems.

This is the vision We Build Too is working towards, and it will improve safety, well-being, and customer experience for all.

Allies are the key

We can’t fix this by creating more divides. Men are, and must be, part of the solution. Many already are. From male employers who actively mentor women to colleagues who speak out against harassment, to customers who choose to hire tradeswomen, allies are essential.

We Build Too exists to bring more women into construction and trades, not at men’s expense, but to improve the industry for all.

It’s about creating conditions where talent, regardless of gender, can thrive. And where the next generation won’t have to fight the same battles just to be allowed in the room.