WOMEN IN TUNNELLING | INSIGHT
Flexible working can achieve good retention of
female employees and is another area where the industry must evolve. Despite some progress, construction remains one of
the least flexible sectors, and this has a direct impact on gender equity. While the number of women in construction has grown over the past decade, the sector still struggles with rigid schedules, daily discrimination, and a persistent gender pay gap as previously mentioned. Embracing flexible working arrangements may become a necessity. It’s how tunnelling will need to compete with other sectors by attracting young talent, retaining the women already employed, and creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. Gender bias and cognitive bias are significant
blockers to the gender gap in the tunnelling industry. An experimental study has shown that that when evaluating the identical applications submitted as men and women, male applicants were viewed as more ‘hirable’. Additionally, the ‘gender-confidence’ gap describes
the reported difference in self-confidence in maths and science subjects between boys and girls. A poll undertaken by Teach First, a UK-based educational charity, has shown that out of the 30% of pupils who said they did not enjoy learning science at school, 43% of girls said they did not feel confident in the subject compared to a starkly different 26% of boys. These figures show that the gender gap in the STEM and subsequently, the tunnelling industry, is a problem that needs to be addressed at the early stages of education. Government Events reported on 5 key reasons that
affect women and girls choosing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM): ● Prior attainment in the subject ● Enjoyment of the subject ● Perceived competence at the subject ● Interest in the subject ● Awareness of the utility of the subject
The main themes to take away here are perceived self-competency and awareness. Visibility of women in the industry can tackle both these issues. Teach First is calling for high-quality teachers to inspire and encourage the next generation of STEM professionals. However, for non-teaching members of the tunnelling community, mentoring and outreach can help to solve the problem. Young women and girls are more likely to see themselves as competent in a career or subject when they can see role models that reflect themselves, ‘if she can do it, I can too’. Retention of women in the industry can also be linked with attraction of young female talent. Women enjoying successful tunnelling careers is attractive for other young women. Recent research has also summarised that early
exposure to STEM education can support the challenging of gender stereotypes. Education and mentorship are critical to sustaining this. Outreach programs and scholarships are encouraging young girls to pursue STEM careers in tunnelling and underground
engineering. Mentorship from experienced professionals, especially women, provide guidance and awareness of the careers and roles available to young women in the tunnelling and construction industry. Although change needs to occur at an accelerated
rate to see gender equity in our lifetimes, there are a few groups already taking action that can be an inspiration to others for creating a brighter future for our industry. At Aecom, almost 50% of the graduate intake in 2023
were women. They have also reported on pushing to create a more inclusive and flexible workplace in terms of parental leave. The BTSYM intends to continue creating visibility
of women in the team and by applauding women’s voices, providing opportunities for connection as well as organising knowledge sharing events delivered by women and open to all. The ICE has just recently welcomed their youngest
woman fellow, Georgia Thompson, who is also their youngest fellow in general. Additionally, the Women in Engineering Society is a women-focussed group who have provided work experience opportunities for female students as well as networking and social events for women in engineering. Girls Under Construction aims to provide important
connections and provide networking events to create a construction network specifically targeted at young women from a BAME background. We devote time to construction and tunnelling
in efforts to improve the status quo of the built environment to be used by everyone, from all walks of life. It makes sense, then, to involve everyone to have a say in the world around them that clearly influences and impacts our daily lives so greatly. Tasnia Khanom
REFERENCES ● ‘
https://stopstreetharassment.org/2016/03/
uknationshstudy/
● ‘Francis-Devine, B., Zaidi, K. & Murray, A. (2025) ‘Women and the UK economy, House of Commons Library’. At:
https://researchbriefings.files.
parliament.uk/documents/SN06838/SN06838.pdf
● ‘Government Events. (2021) ‘Increasing female students’ uptake of STEM’ At: https://www.
governmentevents.co.uk/increasing-female- students-uptake-of-stem/
● ‘Lorenzo, R. et al. (2018) ‘How diverse leadership teams boost innovation’. BCG Global. At: https://
www.bcg.com/publications/2018/how-diverse- leadership-teams-boost-innovation
● ‘Powell, A. & Francis-Fevine, B. (2025) ‘UK labour market statistics’ House of Commons Library. At:
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research- briefings/cbp-9366/
June 2025 | 35
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45
