On Tuesday, 4 February, the Istituto per L’Istruzione Professionale dei Lavoratori Edili della Provincia di Bologna (IIPLE) hosted the inaugural workshop of the ‘Women Can Build LatAm’ project. This landmark event united women working in the construction sector, providing them with a dedicated space for learning, discussion, and knowledge-sharing.
The workshop introduced the ‘Women Can Build’ initiative, a programme designed to promote equal opportunities in construction and enhance the role of women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Results achieved thus far in Spain, Italy, Argentina, and Chile were presented, shedding light on both progress made and the challenges that remain in fostering female inclusion on construction sites.
Beyond the project’s presentation, the workshop prioritised dialogue and reflection. Through structured debate, participants explored key issues such as gender equality, career progression, soft skills, and the importance of green and digital competencies -crucial elements for the industry’s future growth-.
More than just an educational event, the workshop facilitated the exchange of expertise and experiences while strengthening support networks among women striving to establish themselves in construction. ‘Women Can Build LatAm’ remains committed to reshaping the sector and opening new doors for female professionals across the region.
On 22 May, the second workshop for training organisations and teachers took place at the Bologna School of Construction (IIPLE), with the main objectives of promoting and exchanging good practices among trainers, identifying new trends and opportunities for the future, and putting into practice and implementing the results achieved in the first ‘Women Can Build‘ initiative in training organisations. The workshop participants, coming from different training institutions in the area, were able to exchange views thanks to a series of guiding questions and discovered which possible strategies could foster a better knowledge of the sector and attract more women to training institutions in the construction industry.
The third workshop, also held at the Bologna School of Construction (IIPLE), was dedicated to the assessment of gender equality in companies, with the aim of increasing the presence and opportunities for women in companies in the construction sector. The participants, employed in small and medium-sized construction companies in the area, shared their experiences and discussed the main difficulties and possible solutions that can help to improve equality in the workplace. Among the good practices already implemented, it was illustrated which tools in use in various companies in Italy can help in the assessment of gender equality.