The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced the 2024 return of the Top 100 Influential Women in Construction Awards.

Returning for the third year, the awards will continue to highlight the significant contributions of women from across the construction industry and showcase women in the sector in order to make female and non-binary role models more visible and accessible. CITB will deliver the awards and host two 'personal development' training and support workshops this year to engage and develop a national community and industry allyship programme that will meet biannually in-person and virtually.

Recognising the achievements of women from across the sector – from the trades to the boardroom and beyond – for the first time CITB is delivering these awards working with industry partners to support, amplify and encourage their staff to nominate or enter these prestigious awards. CITB are keen to encourage as many inspiring and exceptional applicants as possible, and to continue to work to champion women and challenge perception with positive transformation. The nomination process for the awards is now open and will close on 7th June. The independent judging panel consists of previous winners and industry heavyweights who understand the value of women being recognised by the industry, shining a light on the contributions they have made, and show the opportunities the construction industry has to offer.

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This year, The National Federation of Builders (NFB) will host the Top 100 Women in Construction Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner on 1 October.

• Championing women

The construction industry supports & values equality, but role models from across the sector are critical to driving awareness of opportunities for women in construction. The Top 100 most influential women in construction awards are instrumental in inspiring women to consider careers in construction by showcasing the achievements of female role models within the industry.

Deb Madden, Executive Director, Nations Engagement at CITB added: "Being a woman in construction, you're often in the minority, and that is unlikely to change if we don't work harder to amplify the stories and voices of women who are doing inspiring work. These awards are a crucial way that we can elevate stories that will inspire others, and to show the next generation of women what's possible in construction. The Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction Awards recognises, celebrates, and brings together amazing women - and their allies - that are doing fantastic things across the industry. And these awards, along with our programme of allies' workshops, will encourage more women to consider construction in the future."

• Inspiring applicants

If you know, or are, an exceptional woman in construction, then the CITB would love to hear from you. The nomination process for the awards is now open, and you've got more than enough time to make a submission ahead of the deadline on Friday 7th June 2024. The awards shortlist will be announced on the 4th July, and the winners will be celebrated at a Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony planned in Birmingham in 1st October. Shortlisted candidates and their nominators will be invited to the gala awards dinner at no cost, where the industry will come together to celebrate their achievements.

Siu Mun Li, last year's Most Influential Woman Award Winner 2023 and 2024 Judge reflected: "Awards like these are vital in the construction industry. There is a significant skills shortage which needs to be addressed and, with women in construction accounting for just 14% of the industry, we need to do what we can to showcase stories that demonstrate what's possible. After all, you can't be who you can't see.

"Winning the award was an absolute shock and immense honour; it filled me with such pride to have been recognised for the effort that I put in to creating a positive legacy by the industry that I love. I would encourage anyone to consider an application, either for themselves or a woman in construction that they are inspired by."