In an effort to close the gender PPE gap, Overland Shoes, the company behind Bobcat Safety Footwear, pursues women-specific PPE to encourage inclusivity and accessibility.

According to the recently released Skills England Annual Skills Report 2026, demand across the priority economic sector – particularly construction – will grow by 24% in the next decade.

To meet this need, the UK will require up to 1.8 million additional workers, finds the report. Separate reports continue to highlight that essential trades, including electrical, construction and installation, are among those at greatest risk as demand rises and new entrant numbers decline.

"An obvious solution lies in attracting more women into trade industries, with female representation still inherently low," argues Overland Shoes.

Peter Lawson, brand manager at Overland Shoes, comments:

"It may sound simple but the importance of gender-specific PPE in supporting women in the trades cannot be overstated. For too long, the industry has relied on a ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach to women’s workwear, paying little, if any, attention to the significant anatomical differences between men and women. As a result, many female workers have been left with ill-fitting, uncomfortable PPE that simply isn’t fit for purpose. 

“This outdated approach only reinforces inequality. If we want to build a truly inclusive future workforce, we must first equip it properly. Every worker deserves PPE that fits, protects and enables them to do their job with confidence.” 

Bobcat Safety Footwear launched a women's collection in December 2025, which is engineered specifically to deliver the perfect mix of safety, comfort and style for women across all industries.