A couple of hundred people from across the construction industry came together in central London this month for the LMG Hard Hats & Open Minds Charity Walk, demonstrating a shared commitment to shaping the future of the industry and using its collective influence to help drive positive change.
The 10km walk was created against a significant challenge facing the industry. UK construction needs almost 239,000 additional workers by 2030, yet women still represent fewer than 15% of the workforce. Attracting talent from the widest possible pool, including inspiring more women and girls to see construction as a career to aspire to, will therefore be critical to building the workforce the industry needs for the future.
The Hard Hats & Open Minds walk also showcased the important role construction can play in providing positive role models, a sense of purpose and rewarding career pathways for young men. At a time when young men are increasingly exposed to negative online influences and messages around masculinity, the industry has an opportunity to offer a positive alternative; championing strong male allyship, visible leadership and respectful behaviours, challenging outdated attitudes and demonstrating the values needed for future generations to see. In doing so, it will help create an industry where more people feel welcomed, respected and able to build successful careers.
But the potential impact goes beyond construction. As one of the UK’s largest traditionally male-dominated industries, construction has the scale and influence to lead by example. By championing positive leadership and respectful behaviours, the industry can help shape healthier attitudes and behaviours across wider society and, in doing so, play its part in the wider effort to help end violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The walk raised funds and awareness for Killed Women, supporting its work and the wider societal change needed to help end violence against women and girls. WalkSafe also supported the event, with the route geofenced through the WalkSafe+ App, helping people feel safer while travelling and working alone.
On the walk participants were split into smaller groups, which took in 10 construction sites where LMG is currently working or has previously delivered projects. The sites provided a fitting backdrop to the event, highlighting construction’s contribution to the capital while reinforcing the message that, just as the industry shapes the built environment, it also has an opportunity to help shape its own future and positively influence wider society.
Mike Hook, Executive Director at LMG, said:
“Seeing a couple of hundred people from across construction walking together through London was a powerful demonstration of what our industry can achieve when we come together around a shared purpose.
“Construction has given so many of us fantastic careers and opportunities, but we know we need to continue evolving if we are going to attract the workforce of the future. That means inspiring more women and girls to see the opportunities our industry can offer, providing positive pathways and role models for young men, and continuing to challenge attitudes and behaviours that no longer have a place in our industry.
“But our influence doesn’t have to stop with construction. We are a huge industry employing 1 in 12 of the UK’s workforce, and the values and behaviours we champion can have an impact beyond our own workplaces. If we can use that influence positively, we have an opportunity to contribute to wider societal change too.”
The initiative forms part of LMG’s 40th anniversary year, with the company choosing to use the milestone not only to celebrate four decades in construction, but to contribute positively to the future of the industry.
LMG’s ambition is for Hard Hats & Open Minds to provide a blueprint for other traditionally male-dominated industries, demonstrating how collective leadership, positive role models and respectful behaviours can help influence wider society.
Mike Hook added:
“The walk was one day, but what matters is what happens next. We’ve started something important and now we need to keep those conversations going, within our organisations, across construction and beyond our industry. If Hard Hats & Open Minds can encourage others to take that conversation forward too, then we can start to create a much bigger impact.”
The event was supported by sponsors Mayflex, Genetec and Networks Centre, alongside organisations and individuals from across the construction industry.
Read more here: Hard Hats & Open Minds Walk Overview
Donate here: Just Giving