A renewed push to close the gender gap in Zambia’s construction industry is gaining momentum, as Build It International (BII) and TEVETA deepen their collaboration through research supported reform.

Supported by the Government of Ireland, the initiative is positioning evidence-based policy making as a key driver for inclusive growth and skills development within the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) sector.

Speaking at a National Research Seminar held in Lusaka, Irish Ambassador to Zambia, Aidan Fitzpatrick, reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to advancing gender equality in sectors traditionally dominated by men.

The seminar hosted by BII in partnership with TEVETA brought together policymakers, researchers and industry stakeholders under the theme “Building bridges between research and practice: exploring gender, construction, and skills development in Zambia.”

Mr. Fitzpatrick noted that Ireland’s support is grounded in its own experience of leveraging education and training reforms to drive inclusive economic growth. He said investing in research that identified systemic barriers, Ireland aimed at helping Zambia better align technical education and vocational training with labour market demands, particularly for women and vulnerable youth.

“Gender inclusion in construction is vital for economic transformation. Empowering women to participate fully in the sector can unlock significant productivity gains and challenge long-standing social norms."

And TEVETA Director General, Cleophas Takaiza said the Authority was placing research at the centre of its reform agenda to ensure skills development remained relevant and responsive.

Mr. Takaiza said TEVETA’s Research Agenda for 2025 to 2027 was intentionally focused on priority areas such as curriculum alignment, quality assurance, technology integration and equitable access to training opportunities. He said such reforms were critical for ensuring graduates were employable in a rapidly changing economy.

“The Research Agenda is a call to action for researchers, policymakers, and industry. We must work together to ensure that training translates into meaningful employment outcomes and supports national development.”

He reaffirmed TEVETA’s commitment to ensuring that research findings are translated into concrete policy actions and institutional reforms.

Meanwhile, Build It International Chief Executive Officer, Tum Kazunga said there were deep rooted social and cultural perceptions that continued to define construction as “men’s work,” effectively discouraging women from entering the field.

Mr. Kazunga further said structural challenges such as training environments designed without inclusivity in mind, safety concerns, limited mentorship opportunities and discrimination created barriers that extended beyond the classroom and into the workplace.

“These are not isolated issues,they represent systemic challenges that limit opportunities for women and ultimately affect families, communities and the overall productivity of the sector.”

He said despite sector challenges, there was growing recognition among stakeholders that change was both necessary and achievable. Mr. Takaiza commended Build It International and TEVETA for generating practical research that links training institutions with real-world workforce needs.

The collaboration between TEVETA and BII with support from the Irelnd underscores a broader shift toward inclusive, data-driven policymaking in skills development.

A central focus of the seminar was the persistent under-representation of women in construction-related training and employment. As Zambia continues to invest in infrastructure and industrial growth, stakeholders at the seminar agreed that expanding opportunities for women in construction is a strategic goal for sustainable development.