Lovell: Supporting Young Women to Explore Careers in Construction

At Lovell, we are committed to creating communities, not just building homes. Alongside delivering high-quality housing and regeneration projects across the UK, we are passionate about supporting local people, creating opportunities and inspiring the next generation to consider careers within our industry.

We know that deciding what to do after school can feel daunting. With so many different routes available and increasing pressure to make decisions at a young age, it can be difficult for young people to know which direction to take.

Many young people feel they need to have their future mapped out early on, but the reality is that careers rarely follow a straight line. Opportunities arise unexpectedly, interests change, and often it is the experiences, conversations and people we meet along the way that help shape our future.

This is why our partnership with ThinkForward is so important.

ThinkForward is a charity that provides long-term coaching, skills development and employability opportunities to help young people overcome challenges and prepare for the world of work. Through our partnership, Lovell has supported 10 young women people through activities including careers events, insight sessions and work experience opportunities. We are also pleased to be exploring opportunities to extend our partnership into London, enabling us to support even more young people through the programme.

A key part of our partnership has been to help young women explore the diverse careers available within the construction industry and challenge some of the stereotypes that still exist around the sector.

Earlier this year, we welcomed ten young women from ThinkForward's She Speaks programme (She Speaks | ThinkForward) to take part in a Women in Construction Insight Day. The aim was to provide an honest and realistic insight into the industry by introducing participants to women working in a variety of roles across the business.

Throughout the day, the group met colleagues from our senior management team, marketing, customer services, sustainability, quantity surveying and site management. As well as learning more about the roles themselves, the young women heard first-hand about the different career journeys that had led our colleagues to where they are today.

What quickly became clear was that no two stories were the same. Some colleagues had always planned to work in construction, while others had entered the industry later in their careers or through opportunities, they had not originally considered. For many, their career path had changed direction several times along the way.

For the young women taking part, hearing these experiences was reassuring, demonstrating that there is no single route into construction and that not having all the answers at the age of sixteen is perfectly normal. Being open to new experiences, asking questions and taking opportunities as they arise can often lead to unexpected and rewarding career paths.

The impact of the day was clear from the feedback shared by participants. One young woman said "It changed the thoughts I had because I didn't think that behind it all in the buildings and the offices there would be women sat there. I always thought it would be men. It felt way safer and nice and friendly."

Another reflected on how the experience had challenged her own assumptions about the industry: "I was surprised about the number of jobs that aren't talked about in construction that link with construction."

Perhaps most encouragingly, one participant said: "I thought it wasn't for me and I've come here today and I'm thinking about doing it."

The experience was equally rewarding for Lovell colleagues who took part in the day. One colleague said: "Construction isn't always presented as a career option when you're at school, which is why opportunities like this are so important. We want young people to see that construction is a diverse industry with a wide range of careers available and that there is a place for everyone."

Alongside the Insight Day, we have also provided work experience opportunities for young women on the programme. To date, three young women have completed work experience placements with Lovell and our supply chain partners, including our decorating contractor and quantity surveying teams, giving them valuable hands-on experience and a greater understanding of the industry.

The programme has already demonstrated positive outcomes, with 100% of participants expressing an interest in pursuing a construction-related career following engagement with Lovell.

Experiences such as these give young people the chance to explore different career options, ask questions and gain a better understanding of the opportunities available to them. Just as importantly, they help young women to see that there is no single route into construction and that it's okay not to have everything planned out from the start.

A spokesperson from ThinkForward said:

"The She Speaks programme supports young women to build confidence, develop their aspirations and explore future career pathways. Working with Lovell to deliver this insight day helped challenge stereotypes and showcase the wide range of opportunities available within construction. Through honest conversations, real-world experiences and strong partnerships, we can continue to open doors and broaden horizons for the young women we support."

By continuing our partnership with ThinkForward, we hope to inspire more young women to consider careers in construction, challenge perceptions of the industry and feel confident exploring opportunities they may not previously have considered.

Watch the outtakes from the day:

Lovell Women In Construction with ThinkForward Introduction video