To mark International Women’s Day on March 8, Paula Thompson, technical commercial manager at Fleming Timber Structures, told Project Scotland about the challenges faced by women in the construction industry
I never set out to work in construction. My initial plan was to study architecture, but as I progressed, I found myself drawn more towards the technical side — problem-solving, technical drawing, and the intricate details of timber design. That led me to take on a traineeship as a timber frame design technician at Torwood Timber Systems, where my career started.
When I started at Torwood, they took on two of us as trainees — both women, which was quite rare at the time. As I moved through various companies, I quickly realised how unusual it was to see women in technical roles. More often than not, I was the only woman in the room, and that came with its own set of challenges.
One of the biggest hurdles I’ve faced is the assumption that I must be in an administrative role rather than a technical one. Walking into meetings, I’ve sometimes felt that I had to prove myself before being taken seriously. There’s a level of scepticism that male colleagues don’t always face — you have to work twice as hard to demonstrate your expertise.
But the biggest issue, in my opinion, is visibility. If young women don’t see female role models in technical roles within construction, they’re less likely to consider it as a career path.
There has been progress, and we are seeing more women entering the industry, particularly in commercial, planning, marketing, and administrative roles. However, technical positions are still male-dominated, and that’s a problem — not just for women, but for the industry as a whole. The construction sector is already struggling with a skills shortage. If we don’t actively embrace women and make space for them in technical roles, we’re limiting the talent pool even further.
We need to do more to engage with schools and highlight the range of opportunities available — design, engineering, project management, and beyond. Too often, construction is only presented as being about site work, which can deter women from considering it as an option.
Flexibility in the workplace is another challenge. The industry hasn’t always been the best at offering flexible working arrangements, and that can be a real barrier for women who have family responsibilities. Traditional expectations still place the majority of caregiving duties on women, and that makes it even harder to balance a career in construction with personal life.
Despite these challenges, I remain optimistic. I’ve seen more women stepping into leadership positions, and while there’s still a long way to go, things are moving in the right direction.
As the industry evolves and the next generation takes the reins, I believe attitudes will continue to shift.
