Lets diversify by changing culture and challenging stereotypes: a case study from professional construction higher education programmes

Strachan, Becky, Dele-Ajayi, Opeyemi, Stonehouse, Jane, Logan, Steve, Poolan, Tim, Blakelock, Linda and Bell, Richard (2020) Lets diversify by changing culture and challenging stereotypes: a case study from professional construction higher education programmes. Higher Education Pedagogies, 5 (1). pp. 327-339. ISSN 2375-2696

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/23752696.2020.1847159

Abstract

The UK construction sector is not diverse and is reputed to be dangerous, dirty, physically demanding and non-professional. Young people often regard construction jobs as a last resort. Yet there is a growing skills shortage that needs to attract greater diversity of applicants. The aim of the BRIDGE (Building Routes Into Degrees with Greater Equality) project was to improve the number and diversity of entrants to professional construction higher education programmes. An in-depth assessment of the current situation informed a theory of change, and identified seven interrelated themes to tackle this. This case study is focused on the recruitment theme. Using action research, imagery/wording used in student recruitment was updated and staff undertook equality, diversity and inclusion training. The findings demonstrate the positive effective of these interventions. For example, on one target programme, the percentage of female students increased from 8% in 2016 to 23% in 2017.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: construction sector, equality diversity and inclusion, action research, student recruitment, challenging stereotypes
Subjects: H900 Others in Engineering
X200 Research and Study Skills in Education
X900 Others in Education
Depositing User: Rachel Branson
Date Deposited: 15 Dec 2020 10:23
Last Modified: 31 Jul 2021 14:06
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/44986

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