Women in Construction: National WEC Awareness-Raising Event Held in Croatia
How can we encourage more women to enter the construction sector, overcome existing barriers and create better opportunities for education and professional development? These were the key questions explored during the national awareness-raising event organised by Pannonia on 29 September 2026 in Nova Gradiška, Croatia, as part of the Erasmus+ project Women Empowered in Construction (WEC).
The event brought together 22 participants representing education and training institutions, businesses, civil society organisations and other stakeholders interested in promoting gender equality and equal opportunities in the labour market.
The gathering provided an opportunity to present the project’s educational resources, exchange experiences and discuss practical approaches to making the construction sector more inclusive and accessible to women.
Education as a Pathway to Equal Opportunities
The construction industry continues to face labour shortages, while women remain underrepresented in many construction-related occupations. Gender stereotypes, limited access to professional development, a lack of visible female role models and workplace environments that do not always respond to women’s needs remain significant challenges.
The event opened with an overview of national and European research findings developed within the WEC project. Discussions focused on encouraging more women to consider construction-related careers, improving access to training and strengthening cooperation between education providers and employers.
Introducing WEC Educational Resources and Practical Tools
A central part of the programme focused on the educational resources developed through the WEC project.
Participants were introduced to the WEC curriculum, structured around four key areas: gender equality and workplace culture, professional development and leadership, occupational health and safety from a gender perspective, and technical skills and entrepreneurship.
The WEC digital platform and online learning courses were also presented through a brief live demonstration, highlighting opportunities for independent learning and their potential use in vocational education, adult learning and professional training.
Four practical tools from the WEC toolkit were introduced, addressing gender stereotypes, communication skills, workplace safety reporting and entrepreneurial competencies. An interactive discussion followed, allowing participants to explore how these resources could be applied in educational and professional settings.
Sharing Experiences and Perspectives from Practice
The programme also included a panel discussion bringing together perspectives from the business and education sectors.
Participants exchanged views on the challenges women encounter in professional development, the importance of accessible training opportunities and the need for stronger cooperation between educational institutions and employers.
Particular attention was given to challenging traditional perceptions of construction as a male-dominated industry and creating working environments where women have equal opportunities to develop their skills and careers.
During the closing session, participants discussed possible future actions to support women’s participation in construction. Based on the ideas shared, six recommendations were subsequently formulated, focusing on the wider use of WEC educational resources, inclusive employment practices and cooperation among relevant stakeholders.
Building Connections for Future Cooperation
The event created opportunities for networking and establishing new connections between education providers, businesses and civil society organisations.
Representatives of vocational education and adult learning organisations expressed interest in using WEC educational materials in their future training activities.
Participants were also introduced to the WEC network and invited to explore opportunities for future cooperation and knowledge exchange at national and international levels.
The event concluded with an informal networking lunch, allowing participants to continue discussions and exchange contacts.
The positive response was reflected in the event evaluation. All 22 external participants completed the evaluation questionnaire, resulting in an overall satisfaction score of 4.95 out of 5.
The national event in Croatia highlighted the importance of connecting education, industry and civil society to create more equal professional opportunities. The WEC educational resources offer practical support for organisations seeking to promote gender equality, while the connections established during the event provide a foundation for continued dialogue and potential future cooperation.
Find out more about the WEC project and explore its educational resources at www.women-in-construction.eu.
The Women Empowered in Construction (WEC) project (No. 101183416) is co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
