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How Can The Window Industry Attract More Young People And Women?
Nigel Leivers, managing director at Derby fabricator Frame Fast UK, writes about promoting careers in manufacturing and answers the question ‘how can...
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Scouting For Girls - Gender Equality Equals Best Business Practice
One trade fabricator has spotted that getting the best talent and gender equality go hand-in-hand. Meanwhile, Sonia Travis has been promoted to Head of Commercial Sales at Epwin.
The fabricator in question is Dekko Window Systems which employs a large female workforce along with two women on its six-strong senior management team. The firm has a strong culture of providing equal opportunities.
“When we started Dekko back in 2008, we knew from the start we wanted to make it a very different kind of fabricator. And if you’re striving to be the best, you need to make use of all the talent there is out there – not just half of it.”
– Kurt Greatrex
Sales Director, Dekko Window Systems
Female fabricators
Greatrex has high expectations of his workforce and is also clearly proud of what they’ve achieved. He continues: “Female workers have made a big impact on every aspect of our business. Female fabricators have delivered the outstanding product quality that’s made our name."
Male dominated
The construction industry is a notoriously male dominated sector. The latest figures show that in 2019, only 13% of construction roles were filled by women. The lack of female representation is equally low in the glazing industry – and the women we do have in fenestration tend to occupy office based admin roles, with very few in senior management and even fewer working as window installers and fabricators.
“Female administration staff have shaped our culture of customer service excellence," adds Dekko Window Systems' Greatrex. "And female managers have shaped the strategy that, in little more than a decade, has seen us become one of the most successful fenestration businesses in Britain.
“A diverse workforce allows the best talent to rise to the top, regardless of gender - and that’s the way it should be.”
Skills shortage
Greatrex also sees getting more women into construction is the way forward for the industry's skills shortage problems. He says: “With fewer people coming into the industry with the necessary skills to keep it growing, one of the biggest challenges we face to keep the industry driving forward is a skills shortage, so attracting new talent is vital and a female workforce can help close that gap.”
Opportunities
For women looking to work in construction, the rewards are excellent. On average, female construction workers earn a 30% higher annual salary than those in other historically female dominated industries such as textile manufacturing.
With gender quality and diversity now an integral part of employment regulations, the 2020s look set to be the decade when construction (including glazing) fully embrace an equal male-female workforce.
Sonia Travis promoted to Head of Commercial Sales at Epwin Window Systems
Sonia Travis has been announced as the new Head of Commercial Sales at Epwin Window Systems. Commenting on her new appointment, she said: “I am delighted to be taking up the post. Epwin Window Systems is unique when it comes to supporting the commercial sector because we can provide a complete service including design, technical, product selection and compliance. I am incredibly proud to be leading a team that has such an outstanding offering.”
Clare O’Hara, MD said: “Sonia is an experienced member of the team with an excellent track record in delivering over and beyond for our commercial customers. I know she will be an exceptional Head of Commercial Sales.”
Travis has been with the company for seven years, most recently in the role of Specification Manager, which means she already has an in-depth understanding of Epwin's products and the commercial landscape.
Picture: The Dekko team and Sonia Travis.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
16th September 2020