This Women in Construction Week, Swansea Bay Construction Support Group is proud to recognise the work of our members who are actively supporting women to enter, progress, and thrive in the industry. Across Swansea and the surrounding region, our members are helping to create environments where women feel welcomed, valued, and able to build long-term careers – from apprentices starting out on site, to those developing specialist trade skills, as well as women moving into technical, supervisory, and leadership roles. By encouraging more women to step into construction careers at every level, they are helping to shape a sector that better reflects the communities it serves and is stronger for it.
One example of this commitment in practice can be seen in the support given by one of our members, JG Hale Group, to their apprentice Elanwen, who is at the start of her journey into the construction and electrical sector.
From her very first day on site, Elanwen made a fantastic impression on the JG Hale team. She was a pleasure to work with, arriving enthusiastic, eager to learn, and focused on completing tasks to a high standard while keeping health and safety front of mind. Starting on a live construction site at just 17, and initially the only female on site, she showed confidence from the outset. Since then, Hale’s staff and subcontractors have praised her attitude, the quality of her work, and her determination to succeed.
Recognising her potential, JG Hale Group decided to extend Elanwen’s placement, giving her more time to develop her skills and gain valuable on-site experience. This reflects a wider commitment shared by many of our members: investing in young people and providing opportunities that support women at the earliest stages of their careers.
Elanwen’s interest in construction began at a young age, particularly in electrical work. Now studying at Neath College while gaining pratical experience with JG Hale Group and Osprey Electrical, she is enjoying the balance between classroom learning and practical training. She says the experience is helping her grow in confidence, develop new skills, and put her studies into practice on a live site.
Elanwen believes it is important for more women to enter construction for two key reasons. First, increasing female representation helps challenge the misconception that construction is just a male industry and shows the value women bring to every part of the workforce. Second, she notes that in some situations, such as when working in people’s homes, clients may feel more comfortable with female tradespeople, highlighting how having women in the sector benefits both the workforce and the wider community.
Elanwen’s story shows the impact supportive employers can have. By providing meaningful opportunities and hands-on experience, our members help more women enter construction with the confidence and support they need to succeed.
This Women in Construction Week, we celebrate not only the women already working across the sector but also apprentices like Elanwen who are just beginning their careers and helping to shape a very bright future for construction.