Salix Homes supports International Women’s Day

Salix Homes is backing International Women’s Day with a call for more women to consider a career in construction.

Today is International Women’s Day – an annual event held every March 8, which has been observed across the world for more than 100 years and aims to promote equality and recognise the achievements of women.

This year International Women’s Day coincides with National Apprenticeship Week, and we are calling for more women to think about doing an apprenticeship in the construction sector.

Salix Homes is currently investing £38million to improve homes and communities across Salford and has pledged to create two apprenticeship positions for local people for every £1million spent.

The two and three year apprenticeships include positions, both with Salix Homes and our partner contractors, in a number of principal trades, including plastering, gas engineering and site logistics.

Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “Every year thousands of events are held across the world to mark International Women’s Day to inspire women and celebrate their achievements.

“This year it falls during National Apprenticeship Week – providing the perfect opportunity for women to consider an apprenticeship as their next career move.

“Only 14% of the workforce in the construction industry is female, but construction in the housing sector is open to all and we want to see more women learning the tools of the trade.

“Equality has never been more prevalent than it is today and here at Salix Homes we firmly believe it’s time for a change and that women should be able to pursue careers, such as joinery or plastering, that have previously been dominated by men.”

Salix Homes is also part of the Build Salford initiative, which has seen local organisations join forces to provide traineeships to young people, both male and female, interested in a career in construction.

A Build Salford Open Event takes place on Monday, March 26 at 2pm at the FutureSkills centre at Media City Salford. To find out more or to book your place, email jackie.crook@salixhomes.org