A community interest company working to advance gender equality in the construction industry has closed after 16 years following a “difficult trading year”.

Women into Construction stopped trading on 15 August, saying that its business model was “no longer viable”.

Kath Moore, managing director of the CIC, said in a statement: “It is with regret that after 16 years changing the face of construction, Women in Construction has ceased trading.

“Financially, WiC has suffered a difficult trading year due to a challenging economic climate for both the charitable and construction sectors.”

She said the company had “worked tirelessly” to find solutions to these challenges but concluded that its business model was no longer viable.

According to its most recent accounts on Companies House, the CIC had an average number of eight employees during the financial year ending 30 April 2023.

The accounts show the organisation recorded a turnover of almost £570,000 during this period, but a profit of just under £14,000.

CBW Recovery LLP has been appointed to manage CIC’s closure. The liquidators have been contacted for comment.

Women looking to enter the construction industry should contact the company Careers in Construction or the charity Go Construct, Moore said. “We know that there is still much to be done to transform diversity in the construction industry, but we are proud of all that we have achieved over the past 16 years.” 

She said the CIC had supported more than 4,700 women, provided 3,000 women with industry training and 1,300 women completed work placements and subsequently entered employment.

The CIC has worked with more than 350 companies and forged partnerships with training providers, the Department for Work and Pensions, local stakeholders and industry bodies, Moore said.