Building a future in construction in Camden
To mark National Apprenticeships Week and International Women’s Day, Camden Council held a special event at Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre (Friday 10 March).
As well as celebrating local women who have taken up an apprenticeship in construction, the event provided an opportunity to take part in practical workshops and ultimately encourage other women to consider a career in this field.
“One of the challenges the construction industry faces is attracting women. Currently they make up only eleven percent of the construction workforce and only one percent of on-site workers.
“With the help of our partners we are working to address this and are seeking to run initiatives to increase the numbers of women working in construction locally. We are forming partnerships with training providers, developers, contractors, and other organisations to promote the vast range of jobs that are available to women within the sector.”
The Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre is a partnership between Camden Council, Islington Council and Argent. The service supports both boroughs’ residents to access training, jobs and apprenticeship opportunities in the construction sector. It also provides a recruitment service to developers and contractors to meet their obligations around apprenticeships and local employment.
Sophie Barone, an apprentice with Camden Repairs team said:
“I’m completing a Level 3 NVQ electrical apprenticeship and am currently working with the repairs team at Camden Council. I thought it might be weird being the only female, but it isn’t, I’m just part of the team […] one day I hope to start a construction business for women to encourage more women into the industry.”
“In partnership with the College of North West London we have made our training programmes more accessible to residents and apprenticeships are now open to all ages. This includes running a range of flexible and part time study options across a broad range of subject areas, providing a flexible service from school aged children through to adults.”
For more information visit: www.camden.gov.uk/apprenticeships