‘Girls Can Build’ Programme named Essex Housing Awards 2026 Finalist

We’re delighted to announce that our Girls Can Build programme has been named a finalist in the Essex Housing Awards 2026, recognising our work to inspire young people and challenge outdated perceptions of careers in construction.

Launched by the powerhouse females at OCL in 2024, Girls Can Build was created to give primary school girls the opportunity to discover the breadth of careers available across the construction industry, while helping to break down stereotypes around females working and succeeding within the sector.

Bringing the programme to schools across Essex has been particularly rewarding for OCL. As an Essex-based business, we are passionate about creating a positive impact within our local communities and helping young people see construction as an exciting, accessible and rewarding career choice.

Inspiring more than 2,000 youngsters in 18 months

Since launching Girls Can Build, the programme has continued to grow in both reach and ambition. Over the past 18 months, we have:

• Engaged 2,255 pupils through assemblies and interactive sessions
• Worked with schools across Essex, Hackney* and Islington *where our project sites are
• Expanded into secondary schools, reaching more than 1,200 students across Years 8, 9 and 10
• Adapted our sessions to ensure the programme is accessible and engaging for SEND school pupils

Through practical activities, conversations and exposure to real people working within construction, Girls Can Build aims to show young people that the industry offers far more than the traditional roles they may already know.

From design and engineering to commercial, project management and on-site careers, the programme helps pupils understand the variety of pathways available to them and links back to the subjects they enjoy.

Creating a lasting impact

“Being shortlisted for an Essex Housing Award is a fantastic recognition of what Girls Can Build has achieved so far, but our ambition goes much further.

We want to continue working with schools, clients and industry partners to reach even more young people, challenge stereotypes earlier and help build a more diverse future workforce for construction.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported Girls Can Build along the way, including our colleagues, schools, volunteers, clients and industry partners.

We’re incredibly proud to see the programme recognised in our home county and look forward to continuing to inspire the next generation to believe that Girls Can Build.” – James Harris, MD

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