How initiatives are helping women overcome stress and take on leadership roles.

The construction industry, long associated with resilience and strength, is now beginning to shine a light on another crucial element of success: the wellbeing and confidence of its workforce. For women in particular, stress and self-doubt remain significant hurdles, but initiatives such as Women in Construction: The Power Within Her are paving the way for change.

The Stress Gap: Women in Construction

According to Ciphr’s 2024 research into stress, women experience markedly higher levels of strain than men. On average, women in the UK report feeling stressed for 11.7 days per month, compared to 8.7 days for men.

The causes are wide-ranging:

• 38% of people are affected by money worries and financial stress

• 30% say that work in general makes them feel stressed

• 28% point directly to workload demands as a source of pressure

In construction, a sector often characterised by tight deadlines, complex logistics, and safety-critical environments, these stressors can be even more acute. The industry’s need for greater awareness of mental health is clear, particularly when it comes to supporting women who remain underrepresented in senior roles.

Confidence Barriers and Workplace Progression

The conversation around women’s workplace experiences does not end with stress. Research from My Confidence Matters reveals that 70% of people admit to regularly lacking confidence at work, but the disparity between genders is stark:

• 79% of women say they struggle with confidence at work

• 62% of men report the same

• Only 50% of female respondents feel they would receive enough support from their manager if their confidence faltered

In construction, stepping into supervisory or leadership roles requires visibility, authority, and assertiveness. Without structured support, women risk being overlooked for positions that could diversify and strengthen the sector.

Women in Leadership: Empowering Change

This is where Women in Construction: The Power Within Her makes a difference. Their flagship programme, the Women in Leadership: Leading With Motivational Intelligence Executive Diploma, tackles barriers directly.

• Fully funded by the Construction Industry Training Board, the diploma ensures eligible women can access advanced leadership training without financial cost.

• Unlike traditional technical qualifications, the programme focuses on building leadership capabilities that influence workplace culture and project outcomes, including:

  • Communication and interpersonal skills

  • Navigating workplace challenges

  • Resilience and mental toughness

  • Strategic thinking and decision-making

Participants are not only technically qualified but also empowered to take on supervisory and senior roles, shaping safety standards, project quality, and workforce wellbeing.

Making an Impact Across the UK

The programme is already creating change. Women completing the diploma are:

• Transitioning into supervisory positions

• Leading teams on high-profile projects

• Demonstrating that diverse leadership is key to closing the skills gap and meeting safety targets

By addressing both the mental health challenges and confidence disparities faced by women, initiatives like this are redefining what leadership looks like in construction. They prove that resilience in the industry comes not just from physical strength, but from motivated, confident leaders who inspire lasting change.

Learn More

For more information about the Women in Leadership courses or to register interest, visit: Women in Construction: Women in Leadership