Connecting Women in Construction Through Community, Mentorship and Opportunity
Building a more inclusive construction sector requires more than training programmes — it requires community. In Hungary, the CoHER initiative is taking this next step by establishing a dedicated support network for women in construction and vocational education and training (VET).
Led locally by Creative Youth Academy Hungary, the CoHER Support Network aims to connect learners, educators, and professionals who are committed to strengthening women’s participation and leadership in the sector.
Why a Support Network?
Women in construction often report similar challenges:
- Limited peer representation
- Fewer visible role models
- Barriers to career progression
- Isolation in male-dominated environments
While technical skills are essential, professional success is also shaped by access to mentorship, peer exchange, and reliable information. The CoHER Support Network addresses these structural gaps by creating a platform for connection and collaboration.
What the CoHER Support Network Offers in Hungary
The Hungarian network is designed as a practical and accessible ecosystem rather than a formal membership club. Its core components include:
1. Peer-to-Peer Community
A safe and constructive space where women in VET and early career stages can:
- Share experiences
- Discuss on-site challenges
- Exchange solutions and strategies
- Build professional confidence
2. Mentorship Opportunities
Connecting learners with experienced professionals from the construction sector to:
- Provide career guidance
- Offer practical industry insights
- Support transition from training to employment
3. Knowledge Sharing & Mini-Course Integration
The network builds on the momentum of the ConstructHer Future mini-courses by:
- Extending learning beyond single sessions
- Encouraging continuous skill development
- Promoting inclusive and sustainable construction practices
4. Visibility and Role Models
Highlighting Hungarian women who are:
- Engineers
- Site managers
- Skilled trades professionals
- Construction entrepreneurs
Representation matters — and seeing women succeed in these roles shifts perceptions for the next generation.
Strengthening Hungarian VET Through Collaboration
Hungary’s construction sector is undergoing transformation driven by digitalisation, sustainability targets, and workforce renewal needs. To remain competitive, the sector must attract and retain diverse talent.
The CoHER Support Network contributes to this by:
- Supporting retention of female VET students
- Encouraging career progression
- Bridging the gap between training institutions and industry
- Promoting inclusive workplace cultures
For VET providers, the network represents an added value: it reinforces classroom learning with real-world insight and ongoing engagement.
A Local Network, Part of a European Movement
While the Hungarian network is locally rooted, it is connected to a broader European collaboration under the CoHER project. This means participants benefit from:
- Shared good practices across countries
- Cross-border inspiration
- Access to innovative learning models
- A growing European community advocating for equality in construction
Hungary’s contribution strengthens the collective effort to modernise the sector in an inclusive way.
Building More Than Structures
The launch of the CoHER Support Network in Hungary sends a clear message:
Supporting women in construction is not a one-time initiative — it is a long-term commitment.
By combining mentorship, peer support, and continuous learning, the network helps ensure that women entering construction pathways are not only trained — but supported, connected, and empowered.
📩 Get Involved
Are you a:
- VET learner or educator in construction?
- Industry professional willing to mentor?
- Organisation interested in promoting gender equality in the sector?
Join the CoHER Support Network in Hungary and become part of the change.
Stay informed, participate in upcoming activities, and help build a construction sector where opportunity is open to everyone.
