Mears Group has enjoyed double success at 24 Housing’s Diversity in Housing Awards.
The firm scooped top prizes in both the ‘Gender Equality Award’ and ‘Best Diversity Scheme’ categories at this year’s event for its Tradeswomen into Maintenance project, which aims to increase the number of women working in trades roles in the social housing building maintenance sector.
The project is led by Mears, but brings together partners from across the social housing sector to actively promote training and employment opportunities for women in the trades. Current figures reveal that less than 1% of this workforce are female and research carried out as part of the project shows there are complex reasons for this – from early gender stereotyping to blatant sexism in the workplace protective clothing that simply isn’t made for women.
Project Manager, Gainor Keeton, said: “We are delighted to have won the awards in both our shortlisted categories, and are thrilled to have our work recognised.
“This project has enabled us to increase the awareness of trade employment and training opportunities for female trade apprentices and operatives in the social housing building maintenance sector, as well as create resources and tools that will help in recruiting more women into trades and build a diverse workforce.”