The construction industry has been talking about the skills shortage for years and yet talking doesn’t build change. We lack skilled labour, lack diversity, and slack a new way of thinking.
Yet instead of opening the door wider, we keep it closed to those who could help transform the industry.
I’ve spent my career in hard hats and high-vis, often as the only woman in the room, and I’ve learned something simple: you can’t be what you can’t see. For too long, young people, especially girls, haven’t seen anyone who looks like them thriving in construction. That’s why I believe change doesn’t start with policy. It starts with people.
Early Access Changes Everything
Too much red tape in today’s environment, most contractors don’t allow users under 18 on site. How do we learn at grass roots if we can’t be there? I changed our RAMS, just a few practical adjustments and we now support early access.
And because of that decision, I now have a 16-year-old girl working on one of my sites. She’s a care leaver who started with us on a short work experience placement. Six months later, she’s gone from a paid labouring role to becoming an apprentice site manager. She’s bright, capable, and one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met. All she needed was a chance.
That’s what early access does; it changes lives. It shows young people, especially those who’ve been written off by the system, that they belong here. When you let them step into the real environment, they connect with the work, with people, and with a purpose. That’s grassroots learning at its best.
We talk about the NEET crisis: thousands of young people not in education, employment or training (gov.uk). But what if the problem isn’t them? What if it’s us? What if our rules, our assumptions, and our outdated structures are the real barriers keeping them out?
Mentorship: The Bridge Between Potential and Progress
When I look at the young women coming through, I see myself at their age, determined, but unsure if there’s space for me. That’s where mentorship matters.
– Having someone to guide you, to listen, and to believe in you can be life-changing.
– The data backs it up, with a mentor, you’re 80% more likely to stay in your industry and can see up to a 20% increase in salary over time.
– But beyond the statistics, mentorship creates belonging. It’s the difference between surviving and thriving.
And it’s not just about senior people mentoring juniors. Reverse mentorship, where younger voices share their insight, is just as powerful. We learn from younger members of the team about digital tools, what sustainability means to them, and what inclusion really feels like. It’s humbling, and it’s necessary.
Action Step: If we want to build a stronger industry, we need to make mentorship the foundation. Because every person who’s supported becomes someone who supports others. That’s how real change scales.
Balance Builds Better Mental Health
Let’s be honest, construction hasn’t always been kind to its people. Long hours, pressure, and the “toughen up” culture have taken a toll. We’ve lost too many good people to burnout and poor mental health.
But I’ve seen how quickly that changes when workplaces are more balanced and inclusive. When women are part of the conversation, when empathy is valued as much as efficiency, people open up.
– Teams collaborate instead of compete.
– The air feels different.
A more even workspace doesn’t just look better – it feels better. It supports mental health because it makes people feel seen and valued. Inclusion isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s how we build healthier, safer environments.
Action Step: We can’t keep patching over cracks in our workforce if we’re ignoring the people behind them.
Shifting the Dial for the Next Generation
I’ve seen how a single opportunity can alter the course of someone’s life. That 16-year-old apprentice on my site, she’s proof that when we open doors, incredible things happen.
We don’t need to wait for government funding or another roundtable. We can start now by rethinking entry routes, valuing mentorship, and creating space for the next generation to learn by doing.
We have the power to change the narrative for women in construction and for every young person who’s ever felt they didn’t fit the mold. The future won’t be built by talk. It’ll be built by action.
The next generation doesn’t need saving, they need seeing. And once we see them, once we believe in them, they can show us exactly what the future of this industry looks like.
Name: Renee Preston
Professional Title: Ceo Gallaway Construction
Bio: Renee Preston is CEO and founder of Construction for Women and a nationally recognised changemaker in the built environment. Named Woman of the Year 2025 by Property Week and Female Leader of the Year by Construction News, she champions mentorship, inclusion, and early access, redefining opportunities for women and young people in construction.
