Rumpus PR launch a white paper around EDI in the Built Environment

Exploring belonging in the built environment

The construction industry stands at a crossroads, facing an ongoing skills crisis, disrupted pipelines and mounting pressure to achieve enhanced social value. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) fast becoming a cornerstone for progress. Elevating EDI: Insights into Belonging in the Built Environment offers a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape, providing advice for fostering genuine inclusivity in this traditionally male-dominated field.

The White Paper draws on contributions from sector leaders, delving into critical themes such as representation, workplace culture, and systemic barriers, while offering actionable insights to help organisations move beyond tokenism.

A sector in transition

Elevating EDI highlights construction’s ongoing struggle with representation. With only 2% of on-site roles filled by women, the sector reflects a stark need for change. Contributions from industry leaders, such as Seddon and People 3 Construction, explore the power of visibility and leadership to dismantle biases and inspire greater participation.

Moreover, it examines the intersection of traditional cultural norms and the evolving expectations of a modern workforce. Resistance to EDI efforts remains prevalent, but the paper identifies how leadership buy-in can act as a critical tool to overcoming these entrenched barriers.

EDI as a solution to the skills shortage

The White Paper see’s commentary from CIOB on the industry’s ongoing skills gap, with a forecasted demand for 270,000 new employees by 2025, making the case that inclusivity is not just a moral imperative—it’s a practical solution.

Moving beyond tokenism

Critiquing superficial diversity efforts, commentary from sector specific EDI consultants, Marsha Ramroop and Elzabeth Cameron, highlight the importance of systemic strategies over performative gestures. Ramroop points out, “Progress is made through inclusive behaviours and inclusion strategies informing policies, procedures, and practices.” Successful organisations, like Baily Garner, embed EDI into their culture, ensuring it becomes a foundation for all operations.

Data-driven EDI

Another standout theme is the growing use of data to measure and drive EDI progress. By leveraging metrics, companies like Seddon can identify gaps and refine their strategies, ensuring measurable impact. Contributors such as Ellie Jenkins stress the importance of setting clear goals and celebrating milestones to maintain momentum.

Practical guidance

The paper concludes with actionable communication recommendations from Rumpus. The advice is designed to help organisations to effectively communicate their EDI efforts, without virtue signalling.

By exploring this whitepaper, businesses can gain valuable insights into how to navigate the evolving demands of the workforce, ensuring they remain competitive while fostering meaningful change. It’s a must-read for any organisation committed to building a truly inclusive future.