5 Ways Women Are Making Strides in Construction

Construction careers are most suitable for individuals with high levels of skill, pride and determination; they’re perfect for anyone with a passion for creating and working with their hands. While these qualities could be found in anyone, regardless of gender, somewhere along the way construction careers have become synonymous with a man’s job.

This sentiment still rings true today. With only?10.8% of the construction workforce ?comprised of women, the industry has a long way to go before it can claim true workforce gender diversity.

However, the industry has begun to take those first steps. With so many opportunities in construction, women are joining the industry and finding success and pride in the skilled crafts. As they pave the way for themselves and their peers who want to become craft professionals, they are taking the industry by storm.

These are the ways women are making strides in their careers.

1.????? Enjoying Pay Equity in The Industry

Construction careers place a high emphasis on skills. Craft professionals undergo apprenticeships and training under a watchful eye, possessing an artillery of skills that allow them to complete their jobs on time and with precision.

These skills are currently in?high demand, and with high demand comes high salaries. The best part? These salaries depend on a craft professional's skills, not their age, gender or race. For women, this means pay equity.

In the construction industry, women made?97.3% of the pay ?that their male counterparts earn. Compared to the national average of 83.1%, women in the construction industry are experiencing more equality than those in different industries.

This means that while women may not yet be equally represented, they are experiencing gender equality and opportunities that other industries cannot provide.

2.????? Creating Networks of Women

With a growing number of women in the industry, networks, organizations, and conferences have been established to bring these professionals together and create a community of women who are craft professionals working in construction. These communities allow for collaboration, innovation, and progress in each individual’s life and for the industry as a whole.

Here are some great resources for women in construction:

• National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
• Groundbreaking Women in Construction conference
• Professional Women in Construction (PWC)
• Women in Construction Operations (WiOPS)

3.????? Joining The Industry, Climbing in Ranks

Women are not only joining the industry in greater numbers; they are also increasingly holding leadership positions and climbing the ranks in their companies.

Between 2007 and 2018, women-owned construction firms?have increased by 94% ! On top of that, 44% of the top 100 contracting companies now have women in executive positions.

By increasing the number of women in executive and ownership positions, companies will be able to have a more diverse perspective when shaping hiring processes, company culture, and more. This will further encourage women to join the industry and pursue a career in the crafts.

4.????? Tackling Gender Bias in Equipment

With less than 11% of the workforce comprised of women, those within the industry tackle gender bias head-on as they pave the way for themselves and future craft professionals.

One of the largest advances in the industry has been the emergence of?personal protective equipment ?created just for women. Ill-fitting safety equipment isn’t just uncomfortable but can be dangerous when working on the job. With improperly fitted men’s equipment, women are more likely to be injured on the job.

Luckily, more resources and equipment are available for the women in the industry today. With?researched lists ?of the best equipment for women in the workforce and new companies releasing?equipment specifically for women, the job has become safer and more accessible to women.

5.????? Showing The Value of Diversity

Finally, women are proving the value of gender diversity by bringing substantial benefits to the construction sites they work on.

A 2023 study by NCCER found that women contributed increased focus on teamwork, increased attention to detail, improved job site organization and cleanliness, and improved safety performance to construction projects. Furthermore, women show an increased tendency to follow project plans and work processes as designed.?

By showcasing the value of having diverse voices and skill sets on the job site, women are proving that they aren’t just holding their own – they are true assets to the team.

The industry has a long way to go before the construction workforce mirrors the national workforce as a whole. However, as we work our way toward equal representation, women are making hard and fast strides toward bettering the industry as a whole. As women increasingly become skilled craft professionals, they will enter an industry ready to accept them where they can thrive.

Want to learn more about how women are making an impact in the construction industry? Download NCCER’s research white paper, “In Her Own Words: Improving Project Outcomes.”