The Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board, CITB-ConstructionSkills has been working hard to break down the stereotypes associated with the construction industry for almost 10 years.

We have 140 women in our ambassadors programme who give up their time to go into schools and talk to pupils about their experiences in the industry.

As a result, increasing numbers of women are enjoying careers in construction and our Positive Image campaign has resulted in a 72 per cent rise in the number of women considering a career in the industry since 2006.

The targets set by the Olympic Delivery Authority for engaging women in jobs on site at the Olympics has been exceeded 2.5 times, which also shows what a determined client can do.

Judy Lowe, Deputy Chairman, CITB-ConstructionSkills.