Everything Social Housing

Let’s Address Gender Imbalance Within The Trades

The Gender Gap in UK Trades

We know tradespeople are the backbone of housing associations, directly impacting the provision and maintenance of affordable housing across the UK.

But look a little closer and you’ll find that there is a stark imbalance of who’s represented in these spaces.

Currently, women make up less than 2% of the skilled trades workforce in the UK. And even less non-binary and gender diverse people, whose participation in the sector is rarely even tracked, let alone supported. It’s a sign that something’s fundamentally broken – not with the talent, but with the access.

Our Experience at Moxie People

We’ve seen this imbalance first had at Moxie. In a recent recruitment campaign we delivered for a Housing Association, aimed at hiring permanent Multi-Trade Operatives, we received nearly 50 applications – all of them male.

This serves as a reminder that the talent is out there, but the pathways into the trades are failing to reach everyone.

We know that diverse teams don’t just perform better – they build stronger more inclusive communities. That’s why we’re working with housing associations to shift the narrative and open doors for underrepresented talent in the trades.

It’s not about ability – it’s about access.

Talent doesn’t come with a gender. Neither does hard work, creativity, or the kind of precision that keeps our homes running. So why does the trades industry still look like it’s stuck in the past?

What’s Holding People Back?

The truth is, there are still barriers:

  • A lack of visible role models
  • Gender stereotypes baked into school career advice
  • Non-inclusive workplace facilities
  • And a whole lot of unconscious bias

The result? Young people – particularly those who are female, or gender diverse - are getting the message both subtle and loud, that this path isn’t for them.

And that’s a problem. Not just for equity, but for the future of the housing sector.

I’m committed to challenging outdated perceptions of trade roles, by creating inclusive pathways and actively promoting opportunities for women in the trades, we’re not just filling gaps, we’re reshaping the future of our workforce to reflect the diversity and strength of our communities.
Rachel Heward
Operations Manager Direct Services | Bron Afon

Housing Associations Taking Action

Here’s the good news - some of our Housing partners are putting the work in.
We’ve spoken to Welsh housing associations like Bron Afon Community Housing and Llanw, part of the Valleys to Coast group, who are actively breaking down these barriers and reshaping the landscape for underrepresented genders in trades.

Here’s what’s working:

  • Targeted Apprenticeships for women and non-binary applicants
  • Partnering with schools and colleges to showcase what opportunities are available
  • Developing existing female tradespeople to enable them to effectively mentor/support female apprentices
  • EDI training and anonymous staff perception surveys across the organisation
  • Inclusive access to PPE and fitted workwear
  • Revamping recruitment processes to focus more on practical abilities and customer service skills
  • Listening to the voices of women and gender-diverse tradespeople already in the teams
  • Ensuring their suppliers provide welfare facilities for females visiting their buildings
  • Embedding equality and inclusion expectations directly into their contractor agreements

"At Llanw, we don’t just see the gender imbalance in our industry, we’re determined to change the story. Our journey began by partnering with a local college to ensure doors were open for female apprentices and making it clear that they belong and are valued here. But that was just the beginning.

From there, our focus expanded to creating inclusive environments where everyone, regardless of gender, can feel valued, supported and had equal opportunities to thrive."

Sian Macnamara (Business Support Manager, Llanw)

This is what moving to a proactive approach looks like. And it's exactly what the housing sector needs more of.

Empowering women is now woven into the fabric of our business. We’re committed to challenging outdated perceptions and helping others understand that equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) isn’t just a priority, but it represents a progressive and necessary shift in how we work and grow together. A promise of a brighter, bolder, and more inclusive future for everyone.
Sian Macnamara
Business Support Manager | Llanw

Why the Sector Can’t Afford to Ignore This

The trades world is crying out for new energy. People with the skills, mindset, and motivation to deliver the homes, repairs, and infrastructure our communities rely on.

So why are we sidelining half the potential workforce?

According to research from B&Q TradePoint, girls aged 16–18 are interested. But they’re also being overlooked:

  • 37% say they weren’t given the same opportunities in school to explore trades
  • 27% are put off by how male-dominated the industry feels
  • 23% find the industry intimidating

We don’t think this is necessarily about making trades more appealing. It’s about making them accessible to everyone.

Let’s Build an Inclusive Future

This isn’t about diversity for the sake of ticking a box. It’s about building a housing workforce that’s inclusive, safe and ready to meet the sector’s ambitious goals – from delivering major asset investment programmes to driving forward new housing developments and meeting Net-Zero targets.

Skilled tradespeople are going to be at the heat of that work. But to get there, we need to build a broader, more diverse, and future-ready talent pool,

We know the barriers. We know what needs to shift. And we’ve already got brilliant people - like the teams at Bron Afon Community Housing and Llanw - leading the way.

Right now, let’s shout about the incredible early-stage work already happening in this space - to spark more conversations, share what’s working and help inspire further growth and innovation in the world of EDI in housing.

Ready to Build Inclusive Trades Teams?

Is your team thinking about taking steps to review your property and trades recruitment processes or designing inclusive pathways for future talent? At Moxie, we're on a mission to help Housing Associations build teams that reflect the communities you serve. Get in touch today, and we’ll be happy to share our insights from the housing sector and find out if and how we can support your journey.

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