Two-thirds more women starting apprenticeships, study shows

The number of women starting construction apprenticeships has increased significantly since 2018, according to a report from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

The report, Construction Apprenticeships 2025: Challenges. Opportunities. Support, reveals that 1,450 women started a construction apprenticeship in 2018-19, increasing to 2,420 women in 2023-24.

The findings, compiled using statistics from the Department for Education, show a 67% increase in women starting construction apprenticeships.

CITB’s report also reveals that the number of women completing their apprenticeships has significantly increased over the same period. 

According to the findings, 340 women completed their construction apprenticeship in 2018-19, but this increased by more than 170% to 930 women in 2023-24.

Commenting on the report, Lucie Wright, head of careers strategy at CITB, said: “We need more women in construction. It’s incredibly heartening to see the number of women starting construction apprenticeships increasing – long may this continue. 

“As an industry, we need to actively promote to as diverse a range of applicants as possible and make sure we get the conditions for working in the industry right for as many different people as possible.”

Wright added that CITB recently launched the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction Awards 2025, which provides an opportunity to recognise the women and allies who are driving change in the construction industry.

“For any women thinking about their career options, I and CITB urge you to consider a career in construction,” Wright said. “There’s so much to admire about the industry, and it’s a great place for women to work and thrive.”