The Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) is gearing up for the 2025 edition of its prestigious Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction (ERWIC) Awards.

These awards have become a cornerstone in celebrating the achievements of women within the construction industry. Entries for this year’s awards are set to open in the second quarter of 2025, and women across the sector are already preparing to showcase their accomplishments.

Recognising Excellence and Progress

“For five years, the cidb ERWIC Awards have celebrated the achievements of women in construction. As we enter our sixth year, we cannot wait to see the impressive achievements that women have made over the last year,” says cidb CEO Bongani Dladla.

The latest cidb Construction Monitor for Transformation, released in January 2025, reported that black and +51% women-owned enterprises secured 25% of all public sector contracts by the end of 2024. While this is still significantly lower than the cidb’s transformation vision of 90% of contract awards, it is a substantial improvement from the 16% recorded in the cidb Construction Monitor for Transformation in the same period for 2023. “The figure underscores the increasing presence and influence of women in the sector,” Dladla says.

Driving Transformation and Change

The cidb ERWIC Awards, alongside the cidb’s B.U.I.L.D Programme, are instrumental in supporting the development of women in construction. These initiatives provide essential skills development, enterprise growth opportunities, and recognition for outstanding contributions to the sector.

“We have seen a 9% year-on-year increase in contracts awarded to women-owned businesses,” says Dladla. “While this is a positive trend, we recognise the need for further progress, particularly in securing higher-value Grade 9 contracts. In 2025, we will continue to advocate for increased opportunities at this level.”

Honouring Women in Construction

The annual cidb ERWIC Awards, which will be held on 14 August, 2025, during Women’s Month, not only celebrate excellence but also serve as an inspiration for future leaders. "The awards are certainly helping to shed light on, and mainstream the presence of, women in construction. They play a vital role in raising the profile of women in construction and reinforcing the need for their inclusion in major projects,” says Dladla.

During March, the cidb also celebrated one year since the launch of the B.U.I.L.D Programme, an initiative designed to further empower women in the industry. “The programme has already made a significant impact, and we look forward to expanding its reach in the coming year,” highlights Dladla.

Opportunities for Industry Leaders

The cidb invites industry stakeholders to support the ERWIC Awards through sponsorship and collaboration. “By partnering with the cidb ERWIC Awards, organisations have the

opportunity to contribute meaningfully to industry transformation while supporting women in construction,” concludes Dladla.