Delivered in partnership by Sir Robert McAlpine, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, Equate Scotland and City of Glasgow College, the online tool has been designed that will assist employers in the UK construction sector work towards creating a more inclusive and diverse workplace.

For Talat Yaqoob, director of Equate Scotland, while equality and inclusion may be less of a priority for the construction sector during the UK’s collective fight against the coronavirus pandemic, it is essential the sector does not lose sight of the long-term benefits equality brings to the industry.

He said: “If the industry chooses to, it can use this period of change to create new ways of working and open the industry up to women and other underrepresented groups. COVID-19 will have an impact on every sector in our economy, but when the doors to industry re-open we cannot return to the status quo, we must build back better - this toolkit is a way for construction companies to do just that.”

Douglas Morrison, director of operations and future skills at Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, added: “For many companies, survival, improved productivity and long-term growth will be underpinned by attracting and retaining the best talent. This guide is intended as a signpost towards those who have already successfully created inclusive and high performing workplaces. It’s time to modernise and it’s time to diversify.”

As it currently stands, women make up just 15% of the UK construction sector and only 2% of manual trade workers. And, according to the trade union GMB, it will take almost 200 years to achieve gender equality in the construction sector.

The industry guide is free to all construction companies. It can be used to identify where equality and inclusion efforts should be focused, providing practical advice. The inclusive value guide highlights areas of good practice across the UK demonstrating how employers have implemented positive working practices.