Women in Construction on 2012 London Olympic Games - Essay Example

Women in Construction Women are seen biologically weaker to be fit for the manual jobs and most of the construction jobs need physical work only. London Olympic Games, formation of ODA 2012 Olympics has come as a boon to the female workers, as Olympic Delivery Authority’s initiative funded by the London Development authority called “Women into Construction” is taking off vigorously. Olympics minister Tessa Jowell visited recently Olympic park. During this visit to the construction taster event for women, the minister declared that the “London 2012 big build” project is going to offer construction job opportunities to women, which will ultimately help to bring down the gender barriers in this field. During this event, local women had training on the handling of construction equipment to gain first hand experience on heavy machinery like dumpers etc to learn more on such equipment so that these women can help in building venues and infrastructure for 2012 games in London. This, in turn also increased the job opportunities for women Although presently the share of women placement in construction sector is very low, the aim of the tester event is to provide gainful job opportunity to a minimum of 50 women in a year. The mister did really encourage women to go for such training, while meeting those female workers also who are already helping in this project to build the required infrastructure. Women in Construction As per the London 2012 Olympic news, women manual workforce is just two percent of the total in national construction sector. However the ODA initiative has certainly helped to improve this dismal figure as, according to the “Olympic News”, there are presently around 155 women workers engaged for working in the Olympics project and almost 35 of them were placed by the “Women into construction” initiative. The females work under this program in jobs like dumper truck or digger drivers and operators for other machines and equipment. Olympics minister Ms. Tessa Jowell encourages women to participate During the visit to the Olympic Park, the minister Tessa Jowell remarked that the London 2012 ‘women into construction’ project is an excellent example of the games being used to become the providers for equal opportunity employment irrespective of the gender. The minister opined that this will further strength the job opportunities for women in the national construction sector, while helping more women to get jobs in the ‘women into construction’ projects. ( ref: London Olympics 2012 news) ADEKUNLE STEVE MARTINS Women in Construction 7th. Jan 2009 Women in Construction Breaking the gender barrier There has been a psychological barrier, all through the last decades, that the jobs requiring running and maintenance of heavy-duty equipment are best suited for males only. Hence, very few female aspirants wanted to get into this field while seeking employment opportunities. However, the Director of Construction, ODA, Howard Shiplee, who also attended the event remarked that this project is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the excellent and fulfilling career options that are open to women, particularly in the construction industry. .He informed at this meeting that ODA authorities are working closely with various contractors and training organizations as well as local employment networks for locating women for such jobs to train them and support them in this initiative of ‘women in construction’. He further emphasized that this project is a challenge as part of the ODA efforts to leave an example through the London 2012 project that can become a legacy for providing employment and training to women in future. According to Mr. Shilpee, this is going to help the local population of East London, particularly those currently unemployed, who can have access to the training and jobs on this project. ADEKUNLE STEVE MARTINS Women in Construction 7th. Jan 2009 Women in Construction However, for such highly skilled jobs, a formal training program is neceaasry to train the workforce for driving or maintenance of heavy-duty equipment. This applies to both the genders, as the machine is not going to see any difference of gender.. Hence, the training part of the project ‘women into construction’ is an important aspect of the whole campaign. National Construction College provides training in skills Keeping this in view, National Construction College is associated with this project as its ‘training arm of construction skills’. The director of this college, Andy Walder informed the meeting that National Construction College is happy as it is playing an active role in the building of this project by providing training in the delivery of skills for the Olympic park build, while helping the local women to improve their employment prospects. .He also remarked by saying that to remain competitive, the construction industry needs to draw its human resources from diverse pool of recruits, which shall include women as well. Walder further suggested that in line with the diversity of workforce being trained, the ‘women into construction’ initiative supports the above contention and the Olympic project can become a model case for study, in this field. ADEKUNLE STEVE MARTINS Women in Construction 7th. Jan 2009 Women in Construction There has been a concern for the low rate of women percentage in the overall employment scenario and particularly with the construction sector which has traditionally been a employment provider biased towards men only. Such concerns have been coming up in the British parliament debates as well. House of Commons “questions and answers” for 22nd May, 2008 During the above parliament proceeding, Mrs. May was recorded to ask the Minister for the Olympics, following two questions: 1. What estimate the minister has made regarding the proportion of jobs that will go to women, relating to the 2012 Olympic project. ( ref: house of commons proceedings question # 204694) ( ref: http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com) 2. What are the steps taken by her department to increase the proportion of women employed in jobs relating to the above mentioned project ( ref: # 204695 ) (http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com) ADEKUNLE STEVE MARTINS Women in Construction 7th. Jan 2009 Women in Construction As per parliament publication Column 399 W of 22nd May, 2008, The minister Tessa Jowell replied that the percentage of women employed in the Olympic Delivery authority ODA was 11.9 % as of May 2008. She further informed the parliament that the figures included the employment of women involved in design, construction, administration, management etc., as it also incorporated a small number that is outside the Olympic park project. The minister further informed that ODA along with London Development Authority is organizing a “women into construction” project, which shall focus on providing employment and supporting working women during the construction program for 2012 games. The minister informed the parliament that London Organizing committee of the Olympic and Paralympic games (LOCOG) has a strong policy that covers everything including gender, race, age, sexual orientation and religion in its recruitment and retention of staff and volunteers. She remarked that this policy will be regularly and strongly monitored for its effectiveness, during London build for 2012 games. ADEKUNLE STEVE MARTINS Women in Construction 7th. Jan 2009 Women in Construction LOCOG The official website of this organizing committee (LOCOG) states that it has 11 members in its management committee and five are women. As per the minister, 37.5 % the percentage of women employed are in the Government Olympic executive positions. This is certainly going to help break the gender barrier related to the jobs for women in construction sector and Olympics 2012 may set an example, in this regard, for the whole world to follow. SOURCE LONDON NEWS www.london2012.com ADEKUNLE STEVE MARTINS Women in Construction 7th. Jan 2009 Read More