bbc.com
TikTok Drives Women into Construction
Glasgow Kelvin College's new women's construction course, promoted on TikTok, attracted over 150,000 views and aims to address the underrepresentation of women in the industry by providing skills training and support.
- What is the significance of using TikTok to recruit students for a women's construction course?
- Glasgow Kelvin College launched a women-focused construction course, attracting over 150,000 views on TikTok. Lecturer Tracy Burns, with 30 years of industry and 17 years of teaching experience, aims to support women into this male-dominated field. The course covers joinery, roofing, painting, and brickwork, with no entry requirements.
- What are the key factors contributing to the success and widespread support for this initiative?
- The course's success on TikTok highlights the demand for accessible training and support for women in construction. This initiative addresses the historical underrepresentation of women in the industry, leveraging social media for outreach and promoting diversity in a traditionally male-dominated sector. Many employers have already contacted the college to offer work experience to the course's students.
- How might this program influence future recruitment strategies and diversity initiatives within the construction industry and beyond?
- This program's impact extends beyond individual career opportunities; it fosters a more inclusive and representative construction industry. By actively recruiting women, companies demonstrate their commitment to diversity and benefit from a broader range of skills and perspectives. The course's success suggests similar initiatives could be effective in addressing gender imbalance in other male-dominated sectors.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the success of the TikTok recruitment and the supportive environment for women in construction. The headline itself, "How I'm using TikTok to get women into construction," sets a positive and proactive tone. The article prioritizes the lecturer's positive experiences and the enthusiastic responses on social media, shaping a narrative of success and opportunity.
Language Bias
The language used is largely positive and encouraging. Terms like "buzzing," "great career," and "supportive environment" create a positive and optimistic tone. While this is generally positive, it might benefit from including more nuanced language to acknowledge potential challenges.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the success of the TikTok recruitment strategy and the positive experiences of women in the construction industry. However, it omits potential challenges or negative experiences that women might face in a male-dominated field. While acknowledging that the industry is "getting better," it doesn't delve into the persistent issues of gender inequality, such as pay gaps, harassment, or lack of promotion opportunities. This omission presents a somewhat overly optimistic view.
Gender Bias
The article focuses on women's positive experiences and the need for more women in construction, which is a positive aspect. However, it could benefit from including more diverse perspectives. While it mentions male support, it would be beneficial to explore whether the support is consistently available across all construction companies or if certain companies are more welcoming.
Sustainable Development Goals
The initiative directly addresses gender inequality by providing a women-focused construction course, tackling the male-dominated nature of the industry and promoting women's access to skilled trades. The program actively recruits women, offers support, and aims to boost confidence, leading to improved gender balance in the construction workforce. The positive social media response further highlights the demand and impact.