Adra Empowers Young Women at Inspiring Event Designed to Break Down Barriers

Adra, the leading social housing organisation in north Wales, proudly hosted its second annual Women in Construction event for year 9 pupils at their decarbonisation hub Tŷ Gwyrddfai in Penygroes.  

This year, pupils were selected from Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen in Caernarfon. This event, designed to break down gender stereotypes and encourage young women to explore opportunities in the construction industry, proved to be an outstanding success. 

The event included a series of engaging activities, including carousel sessions, informative workshops, and ‘give it a go’ sessions, all aimed at introducing 60 girls to the diverse and exciting world of construction. Adra, committed to fostering inclusivity, aimed to attract more women into social housing, demonstrating that the industry offers a wide variety of opportunities for everyone. 

Having a hands-on activity is a lot more engaging for the young women than looking at a prospectus, and Charlotte Robinson from Saint Gobain gave a plastering demonstration at the event. Plenty of girls wanted to have a go! Charlotte said, 

“Being a woman in construction is empowering, and there’s no reason why more women shouldn’t be working in these jobs. I want to see more women represented in this industry.” 

Building on the success of the previous year, Adra was delighted to witness a surge in enthusiasm from both participants and supporters. The morning’s agenda included talks from several prominent employers, each showcasing their commitment to diversity and inclusion in the construction sector. Participants included Travis Perkins, Altro Flooring, Griffiths Construction, TrueWool, and Saint Gobain Interior Solutions, with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai actively promoting apprenticeship opportunities within the construction industry. 

Expressing gratitude to the participating organisations, Ceri Ellis-Jackson, Academi Adra’s Programme Lead, shared her enthusiasm, said “It was a dream to see 60 young women receiving these opportunities and experiences on their doorstep. Academi Adra was established to give young people a leg up into the world of work, and I’m really proud to bring more diversity into the construction industry by hosting events like these. 

“Adra remains dedicated to breaking down barriers that may discourage young women from pursuing careers in construction. By providing hands-on experiences and showcasing the variety of roles available, Adra aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders in the industry.”