As of March 2026, the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce reports that an increasing number of women are joining the building industry in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, to help strengthen the local workforce. This shift comes as the industry looks to fill a significant gap in skilled workers needed for major housing projects across the region.
Local developer Allison Homes, which has its main offices in the city, reports that 38 per cent of its staff are women. This figure is significantly higher than the building industry average of 15 per cent. The firm is currently building new houses at sites including Abbey Park in Thorney and Harriers Rest in Wittering.
According to the CITB, the building industry across the country will need almost 225,000 more workers by 2028 to meet demand. John Anderson, the chief executive of Allison Homes, said that since half of their home buyers are women, the company wants at least half of its main decisions to be shaped by a female perspective.
Training for these roles is being expanded locally to help more residents find a career in the sector. Peterborough College is offering level two building courses and technical qualifications for the 2025-2026 school year to help fill the local skills gap.
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