Britta Korre Stenholt

What brought you into the building/construction industry?
Everything we build has great significance for our lives. Construction sets the framework for where we live, work, are educated, get well and are with our loved ones, and that, I think, is encouraging to contribute to. As a youth, I also dreamed of becoming an architect. I did not become one, but in STARK, I still got the opportunity to work with construction. On the professional side, STARK faced some exciting challenges when I joined, and they were closely related to challenges I had dealt with before. Therefore, I found it interesting to see if my ‘toolbox’ could be used in a completely different industry.

How do you experience that it’s a male-dominated industry?
I never think of myself as a woman when I go to work, just as 'Britta'. Conversely, I experience a positive curiosity from male colleagues in the industry regarding my choice to switch to the construction industry, which traditionally is a male-dominated industry. At first, a few of them expressed scepticism, but I think it was more about my lack of industry knowledge than my gender. In general, I feel extremely well received, but I find it awkward that on construction sites, I always get handed a safety vest that is several numbers too large. It’s just one small sign that we still have a long way to go before we have diversity in our business.

Sara Larsson

What brought you into the building/construction industry?
I originally applied for a position at Silvan when they were still in Sweden. At that time, I was unemployed and was mostly just interested in any job. But I remember so well the first time I stepped into the branch and immediately felt that I wanted to work here! There was a lot that appealed to me, but above all, it was a wide range of products, and I saw a lot of opportunities. 15 years later, I am still in the same industry and corporate even though it has changed a lot.

What challenges and opportunities do you see in relation to improving diversity in construction?
The challenge is that the industry is, unfortunately, a bit backward and prejudiced. But I see incredible opportunities, including getting more women into senior positions, which is important. Then we also want a wonderful mix among the staff, different backgrounds and conditions to create a better team. If we can lay a foundation and be a role model for diversity in the construction industry, we can also get our industry colleagues on board.

Josefine Boistrup

What has surprised you the most (positively and less positively) after becoming part of the construction industry?
It is really way more fun than I had expected, and that is probably because I meet many wonderful customers every day - they become like colleagues. There is a very nice family feeling, and the relationship with the customers is more important than I could have imagined.

What challenges and opportunities do you see in relation to improving diversity in construction?
It is never easy to find the right person for the job, and when I recruit next time, I want to look for the individual who fits what I am looking for. If it happens to be a woman or maybe a person with a different background, I would want to choose that first. I believe in building an operation that reflects society, but it must be people who can deliver so that we at Beijer reach our goals.

Nella Liljendahl

What brought you into the building/construction industry?
STARK was my first contact with working life through a summer job at the age of 18. I immediately loved the varied and versatile warehouse work and the relaxed atmosphere in customer service. This was the start of my journey: During the years, I have grown from a summer worker to a warehouse manager and team leader.

How do you experience that it’s a male-dominated industry?
The construction industry is still very male-dominated. Around 300 out of 1100 Finnish employees are women, and it is a privilege to be part of the journey to increase the number of women in our company. It is also empowering to act in a supervisor role in a male-dominated industry and to be a role model in the sense that every line of work is also possible for a woman. However, it still raises some bewilderment amongst some customers that a woman works in a warehouse, saws, and drives a forklift, but I hope that it will be the “new normal” one day.

Britta Susanne Bundgaard

What has surprised you the most (positively and less positively) after becoming part of the construction industry?
I have been in the construction industry for 23 years. When I started at STARK, I was the only woman in the department. When I became a branch manager, I was also the only woman among over 80 other branch managers. I still am. So, it surprises me that it doesn’t go faster to get more women involved. I had probably expected it to go faster, but the construction industry is still very male-dominated both with our suppliers, our customers, and ourselves.

What challenges and opportunities do you see in relation to improving diversity in construction?
It is a challenge that the industry is very male-dominated. It can make women feel unwelcome, and they think that it is probably not for them. On the other hand, there are many opportunities to make it clear that the construction industry is for both genders. We need to do more to make young girls and women interested in the many opportunities that the construction industry has. We need to go out to the business schools and profile ourselves as an industry that is for both boys and girls. We need to spread knowledge about how exciting the construction industry is and how many opportunities there are to educate and work in construction.

Minna Markkula

What brought you into the building/construction industry?
My first employer was an agency representing construction materials and did business with STARK. Through that, I learned a lot about the industry. I have always loved renovating and building, so it seemed a good choice for a career – I came to stay and have worked in several different jobs and responsibility areas.

How do you experience that it’s a male-dominated industry?
The industry has been very male-dominated, but I have not experienced it in any negative way. Men are fair co-workers. However, it delights me that the number of women in the industry is increasing, and I hope it continues that way. I see and also meet more female customers today: They are entrepreneurs, builders, construction workers, you name it. I think this is a great development!

Carmen Brönner

What brought you into the building/construction industry?
My grandparents owned an excavation and demolition company. Even as a lawyer and sales representative, I ended up back in the construction industry - because of love: My husband ran a building materials branch. Here I found the perfect combination of everything I wanted and stuck with it - also with love.

How do you experience that it’s a male-dominated industry?
I don't notice it so much because I grew up with it: Women have always been active in the construction industry, but mostly in the offices or family companies, less in the front. However, more and more women are entering the construction industry as it is an interesting and innovative industry.

Aina Qvarfell

What brought you into the building/construction industry?
My mother works at Beijer and mentioned that they were searching for employees in the warehouse, so I applied and got the job working by the hour. I really enjoyed the work, and after only a few months, I got a full-time job in the warehouse. Three other male employees applied for the job, but I was the one ending up with the position. The job suits me very well, as you get to be very active and learn something new every day.

How do you experience that it’s a male-dominated industry?
It's primarily men who come into the branch. When we serve our customers, and I have a guy next to me, they always ask him first. When you are helping out male customers, some of them look at you a bit crookedly because you are a woman in a male-dominated industry, but after helping them out with what they need, heavy or light products, you see that they are a little surprised after all.

Maria Johanne Mathiassen

What brought you into the building/construction industry?
My dad is a carpenter, and I have always wanted to work in the same "industry". An industry where there are high ceilings suits me well.

How do you experience that it’s a male-dominated industry?
The first year was challenging. I had some trouble getting to fully understand and know men and the different ways of working. But now, after five years, I think it’s great, and I could not imagine a different work environment.

Lisa Schilowsky-Käfer

What brought you into the construction industry?
My path into the construction industry was already paved, namely by my family! I grew up in our family business; our hardware branch was almost a second home for me from an early age. Many employees are family to me because I have known them almost all my life. So my career path was quite organic and natural. No question: this company is particularly close to my heart. Therefore, I look forward to facing the challenges of the construction industry every day and fighting for our large family. Since last summer, I have been continuing the family tradition: my husband Christoph and I took over the business from my father and have been running it ever since with old values and passion but fresh wind and ideas.

What challenges and opportunities do you see to improve diversity (with regard to women) in construction?
The biggest challenges for me are those that cannot be overcome from one day to the next, namely breaking conservative patterns and taking new paths. These resolutions must be tackled again and again and enforced with vehemence. An example of this is ensuring childcare - an extremely important but also sensitive topic, to bring women back into the working world with a good feeling. In addition, the responsibility in one’s own four walls, especially with regard to children and household, must be distributed fairly - but that is, of course, a private topic. Only in this way can women really be relieved and supported - no woman should feel the pressure to have to choose between career and family. The opportunities that arise from this are more sensitivity and tact towards the topic. Address it and tackle it - at all levels (private, employer, and state). Employing more women in the construction industry also means more empathy, creativity, and looking beyond the horizon - things that the industry could sometimes use a bit more of.

Jasmin Sixl

What surprised you the most (positively and less positively) after you became part of the construction industry?
I was very surprised that already, at a young age, people doubted that a woman could ever make a career in this industry. This gave me the incentive to prove the opposite. The positive effect: After hard work, diligence, and the right touch, success then proves you right and acceptance by business partners goes hand in hand with it.

What challenges and opportunities do you see to improve diversity (in terms of women) in construction?
The biggest challenge I see is acceptance in our customer structure, perhaps also in that of our business partners. Acceptance comes through qualification and assertiveness, which can certainly be learned. To this day, I don’t think much of a quota, in my opinion, all female executives would then be questioned about their qualifications and performance. It is important to have a clear goal in mind and to fight for it with emphasis and persistence. If we want more diversity, we must implement exactly what has now been initiated: The network for women - women who want to make a career need to exchange experiences and approaches with female executives. I am sure that we have enough women in our organisation whose power is still dormant and will be awakened by good role models and communication.

Ines Buss

How do you experience it being a male-dominated industry?
At STARK Germany, we are above the industry average with a female quota of 26%, but even with us, too few women work - especially in leadership positions. I have 18 direct colleagues, all of them are men! I can assert myself very well, but that was also a process, and I wish for more female colleagues because I believe that different perspectives produce better results, and we must accelerate this development.

What challenges and opportunities do you see to improve diversity (in terms of women) in construction?
Specifically, with us at STARK Germany, we need to become a more attractive employer for women, I think of fair treatment and remuneration, career opportunities and compatibility of work and family. Female role models can also show perspectives, especially for younger women. It is important to encourage and strengthen women to believe in themselves and their abilities, to trust themselves to take on tasks and also to take on leadership.

Ivonne Kriegsmann

What challenges and opportunities do you see to improve diversity (with regard to women) in construction?
Diversity in construction, especially with regard to women, faces a number of challenges and, at the same time, offers opportunities for improvement. Unfortunately, we still have the traditional gender roles in the minds of people in our industry too often. This often leads to women choosing other industries. Women are too often underrepresented at construction sites, but also in trade in leadership positions. This then leads to a lack of female role models and role models. The often-existing rough and male-dominated work culture in construction can deter some women from accepting a position there. You can certainly interest more women in jobs in construction if you continue to eliminate stereotypes and provide more education about the opportunities and career opportunities for women in construction. We solution-oriented women show every day that we can already keep up with the problem-oriented men of our industry. We don’t need equal opportunities policies or quota regulations. Well-educated women will find their place based on qualifications and technical competence.

Laura Perrett

How do you experience it being a male-dominated industry?
In the early days, I experienced criticism for being a woman, with some males having that lack of trust to believe in my knowledge; this did prevent itself with its own unique challenges. However, I took it as an opportunity to break down barriers and make a significant impact by learning and developing from fellow male peers with whom I still stay in touch now. Without them and their mentorship, I wouldn’t be who or where I am today. I would say gender diversity most definitely has improved over the years, particularly compared to how it was when I first started.

What challenges and opportunities do you see to improve diversity in construction?
There is so much opportunity to improve diversity, particularly with the Builders Merchant Federation working on a campaign to promote this along with the sector awareness campaign. The challenges we face with lack of diversity are ultimately down to our sector on the map based around site work. There are many paths of opportunity and job fields within our industry, but they are just not as visible to the wider audience who have never been involved in it. If you say construction industry, your first thoughts are on site building houses or doing road maintenance.

Siobhan Lewis

What brought you into the building/construction industry?
In all honesty, when I first came across the job within Jewson after I finished my master's, it wasn't a career path I immediately wanted to explore. Working in the construction industry isn't necessarily what you imagine you would want to do as a female with no prior experience in building or with any type of building product. However, looking into the business, I realised it wasn't just about 'selling bricks and blocks', it was about offering products and services that are vital to keeping the UK moving, where product innovations are helping to shape the future of construction. So, I applied for the role and have not looked back since.

What has surprised you the most (positively and less positively) after becoming part of the construction industry?
Two aspects of the builders' merchant world surprised me the most when I first started. Firstly, I was amazed by how many women work in the construction industry, both in the head office, within our branches and out on the tools. It became evident very quickly that the stereotype of only men working in this field is far from accurate - something that we need to overcome and celebrate if we're going to break the bias of women in construction. Secondly, I love to see how strong the sense of belonging to a team is within the industry. I don't think there are many other industries where you witness the close relationships that businesses in the industry develop with their customers. The sense of pride our colleagues have in these relationships is also second to none. It's an aspect of the industry that sets it apart and gives it a real sense of community.

Chloe Bright

How do you experience that it's a male-dominated industry?
Throughout the business/branches, you do come across more males than females.  It is improving massively, and many more females are coming into the business, which is positive and since STARK took over, they have even more female leaders.  It is an industry which is not always advertised enough, or there can be stigma attached that it is male dominated, but this is ever-changing in our diverse business and society.

What challenges and opportunities do you see in relation to improving diversity in construction?
Opportunities: I think as a business, making this industry/job opportunities clear in high school and advertising apprenticeships correctly could encourage more people to join our business. This initiative is a good way of showing and advertising that women are working in our branches, the knowledge we have, and the success stories we have experienced with colleagues. 

Domi Scrivener

What has surprised you the most (positively and less positively) after becoming part of the construction industry?
It surprised me how much help there is on hand around the network and how many people do help and are not afraid to come and ask for help, some more than others.  It is a bit disappointing that there are still (rather aged either customers or colleagues) who have very restricted tunnel vision views, which makes it harder to drive the business forward.

What challenges and opportunities do you see in relation to improving diversity in construction?
For me, it always comes down to people; we all have our own hopes, principles, or beliefs, and those can sometimes be our worst enemies. I think it's exciting how much change there is currently and how our management is driving with clear, concise messages and the openness that they are creating. I can see that we are growing.

Sine Ovesen

What has surprised you the most? (positively and less positively)
15-20 years ago, it was really clear that women were “new” in the industry. It could sometimes be deeply frustrating to see a customer stand and wait for a male colleague to become available - when I could also help. Fortunately, it has become much more recognised among women in our industry. If you are professional, curious, sincere, and listening - then you can go far with a smile. There are plenty of development opportunities and a myriad of different branches you can branch out into. There is clearly a need for a “female touch” to get some balance on the work environment level.

What challenges and opportunities do you see in relation to improving diversity within the construction industry?
It would be good to have female mentors for new women in the industry. There must be some to mirror oneself in - one to spar with - because it is not always easy to be the only hen in the yard! In our industry, there will hopefully always be a slightly cheerful tone and local jargon, but it can certainly be done if it is said with a respectful tone. There is clearly a positive development underway - a “generational change”. There are plenty of opportunities to be creative, inventive, and proactive, and there is more and more focus on the mental work environment, which is also an area where one can make one’s mark.

Essi Ikonen

How do you feel this is a male-dominated industry?
I do not think about such a thing at all in everyday life and very rarely there are situations where the matter on some level comes to light. It does not matter what sector it is talked about; they are often defined as a male or female winning sector. The most important thing is that you are comfortable in the industry and the work meets your own wishes.

What challenges and opportunities do you see in increasing diversity in the construction industry?
The attractiveness of the construction industry must be increased and employees from different backgrounds must be attracted to the industry. Those interested in the sector should be encouraged to seek employment in the sector, even if they do not yet have experience. At Stark, we have employees from many different backgrounds, and for many, like me in the past, this has been the first job. The fact is that the industry offers a wide range of interesting tasks, all of which are suitable for both men and women. Together, the construction sector could do more to increase the attractiveness and diversity of the sector.