The Diversity & Inclusion team in Kilsaran have achieved their goal of a 1% increase in female employees for 2024. As a company firmly rooted in the construction industry, a traditionally male dominated industry, Kilsaran, like many of our industry counterparts, has struggled to attract and retain female employees. This is especially true in field based roles with most of our female workforce occupying admin or office-based roles.
Gender based diversity is crucial in the ongoing success of an organisation as studies have shown that diverse teams tend to be more productive, with different viewpoints stimulating better communication and collaboration. Women’s contributions to problem-solving, informed by a variety of experiences and perspectives, help the industry address complex challenges more effectively. By fostering gender diversity, the construction industry not only boosts its productivity and adaptability but also sets a standard for inclusivity, encouraging a wider range of talent and ideas.
To achieve our goal of a 1% increase in female recruits, our Diversity & Inclusion team set out several initiatives and actions in collaboration with various Kilsaran Departments and Business Units.
These included:
- More female representatives at all recruitment events
- Introducing female specific PPE gear
- Developing a series of ‘Plant life’ campaigns, spotlighting our female employees and their respective roles
- Ensuring diverse representation on all digital platforms
- Assessing and upgrading existing facilities to ensure equal access for all.
All of these initiatives have yielded significant success, as after having achieved our ultimate goal of a 1% increase in female employment, we have begun to see a growing number of women occupying roles traditionally dominated by men. Most notably, we hired our first ever female electrical apprentice this year. We also, for the first time, have two female apprentices currently completing apprenticeships in Laboratory and Logistics.
