Contractor, Wates Construction, is encouraging women across the region to consider a career in construction in response to data estimating that almost 4,000 new industry jobs will be created annually across the east of England.

The call to action follows a report from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) predicting an annual growth of 2.3pc for the region's construction industry, which should see roughly 3,910 new jobs created each year between 2016 and 2020.

Louise Reeve, who has worked as a Framework Assistant and Community Investment Advisor for Wates Construction since 2015 said: 'The diversity of the roles in construction is one of the industry's biggest draws, something many people perhaps don't realise when they are choosing their career and I think this is particularly true for women.

'In addition to the hands-on trade roles available, there are so many more elements to construction. For example, a key part of my role is ensuring that our work in the region is used to create training, apprenticeship and work experience opportunities for local people.'

Louise is currently based at the Quadram Institute at Norwich Research Park, which is expected to have an on-site team of approximately 380 operatives during peak periods.

She added: 'My advice to anyone currently reviewing their career choices would be not to discount construction. More and more women are opening their minds to the industry, which is very encouraging, and with a rise in constructions jobs predicted by the CITB, I personally hope to see the sector's gender gap in the east of England become even smaller.'

Other local companies, are also following suit, urging more women to consider work in construction.

Andrew Fuller, managing director of Persimmon Homes Anglia, said: 'We currently employ 38 women in this region, in roles such as sales advisor, quantity surveyor, sales manager, customer care, administration, planning and buying.

'The construction industry offers fantastic career opportunities for a wide range of young people and those looking to retrain.'

He added: 'We would positively encourage women to join us as site managers, assistants, bricklayers, forklift drivers or any other skilled trade, or indeed take up apprenticeships or trainee roles within the business.'

Currently there are 96 available positions being advertised in the construction industry across Norfolk on recruitment website Jobs24. These vacancies include site technicians, contracts managers, carpenters and surveyor roles.

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