A woman leader at the head of a mixed and inclusive construction sector in Vaucluse

Two years ago, the Geiq BTP, whose members include major construction companies such as Eiffage, Colas and Vinci, decided to fight prejudice and the shortage of labour on building sites while adding a touch of femininity.

For this organisation, whose role is to train and place employees on training contracts with companies short of qualified and motivated staff, the idea was to persuade women, still few and far between in trades considered physical, to join the adventure. Historically, women have had nothing left to prove about hard work since they kept the factories running across the Atlantic in 1942, yet the typical profile in these trades remains a man under 50.

And yet the modernisation of construction techniques and tools opens these trades to far more body types than before. The one thing that struggles to change is perception in this traditional sector. Changing perceptions is one of the social missions a company can address as part of its CSR strategy.

This inclusive positioning is a boon for large groups, which have to demonstrate CSR initiatives. It is, however, more complicated for very small businesses and SMEs: regulations require a mixed team to have separate facilities, if only for going to the toilet.

On large projects recruiting hundreds of people, this kind of investment is justified, but for smaller organisations the financial constraint can have a significant impact.

To find more future apprentices for her professional network, Christelle Gougelin decided to go further by persuading, for example, people with mental and/or physical disabilities, as well as more unconventional profiles, to join the ranks. After all, most disabilities are not necessarily visible, and an unconventional personality has never stopped anyone from being a very good bricklayer.

To raise awareness among her partners and staff about accepting new profiles, and to introduce environmental measures with her stakeholders and secure their buy-in, Christelle Gougelin called on Rate A Company to support her in this approach.

With very good scores, encouraging prospects are emerging for the near future. Nevertheless, the results of this stakeholder audit reveal a sector that struggles to move the lines on environmental and social matters. But with a leader as committed and determined as this Geiq director, the construction world in Vaucluse can only move forward and carry this transition through, leaving no one behind.

For more information on this CSR audit, see the full audit results

Discover the GEIQ BTP Vaucluse

Read about other GEIQ BTP organisations in France that have undertaken a CSR audit by their stakeholders and improved their sustainable practices:

• GEIQ BTP 46
• GEIQ BTP Loiret