As the Construction Inclusion Coalition (CIC) marks its first year of activity across the industry, CIC chair Angela Rushforth is calling for more construction leaders to take a stand on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I).
The CIC has published its first Impact Report documenting the progress made by the organisations aligned to the CIC Built on Better Pledge during the first full year of the Coalition. The report was published to mark National Inclusion Week, which took place from 23 to 29 September and was founded by Inclusive Employers.
According to a statement, the first CIC Impact Report arrives in the wake of the high-profile collapse of Women into Construction and with the culture of the industry under intense scrutiny following the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 Report.
More than 40 companies from across the sector, including founding CIC members Travis Perkins, Baxi, Ibstock, Wavin, Bradfords, Wolseley, Knauf, BMF and NMBS have been working to address issues such as fostering an inclusive workplace culture, it noted, attracting and retaining diverse talent and providing the platforms for employees to ‘speak up’.
The report revealed the following:
- A number of Coalition partners successfully ensuring that recruitment panels and candidate shortlists are more diverse
- Coalition members launching a range of forums to discuss female focused issues
- The introduction of new policies designed to address female focused issues
- A range of initiatives to provide a better understanding of different minority groups and their perspectives
Angela Rushforth said that while these successes are to be applauded, they are not enough. She is calling on business leaders from across the construction supply chain to do more and join the Coalition in modernising and improving the sector.
Angela said: “12 months ago, we invited all construction businesses, regardless of size, to join the Coalition and to commit to improving ED&I across the sector through our Built on Better pledge.
“Despite the strong start we have made, now is the time for more vocal support from across the industry, and for leaders to join some of the fantastic organisations that have already committed their time, effort and voice to the CIC.
“As an industry we know we need to embrace a broader talent pool and to ensure construction is more accessible to everyone. This initiative isn’t just about gender or minority representation. It’s about building an inclusive industry that can meet the demands being placed upon it, while securing the future of the industry.
“The view of the CIC is that CEOs and construction industry leaders need to be allies to this common cause of enhancing gender and ethnic diversity within the sector, and that the need for greater diversity isn’t only a female or minority-led initiative, but an objective for all of us.
“As we mark National Inclusion Week with the publishing of our first Impact Report demonstrating how we are taking action, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and I’m excited about the path ahead.”
On Tuesday 1 October the CIC will host the Coalition in Conversation Conference, sponsored by NMBS.