Female construction workers set to continue growing in numbers

The number of female construction workers is set to continue growing after training programmes targeting women saw surprising success.

Sector skills council ConstructionSkills has been awarded further funding after 2,200 women accessed its training and support programmes, beating its target by more than 20%.

An extra £660,000 will be passed on to the skills council over the next three years to help with the second phase of the Women and Work: Sector Pathways Initiative, which was launched in March 2006.

The project helps women entering the construction industry, as well as helping current female workers get further training.

Skills minister David Lammy MP said it was vitally important "to help women overcome any barriers to recruitment or progression at work".

"Gender should be no barrier to a successful career," said Lammy. "It's essential we provide extra support where it can do most good."