With the help of Generation T and similar organizations like Professional Women in Construction, Nontraditional Employment for Women and the Girls Can Construction Camp, skilled tradeswomen share their experiences and offer support for other women. Initiatives like Generation T, which is led by home improvement retailer Lowe’s, understand how critical expanding the visibility of women currently working in construction is for inspiring a rising workforce to consider entering skilled trades. Without exposure at the high school level, young women aren’t encouraged to explore careers in skilled trades and never learn about the advantages of attending trade school. When education budgets are slashed, elective classes such as woodshop are frequently the first to go. One of the primary obstacles for women is a lack of early education. Personal protective equipment specifically designed for women has helped to eliminate safety hazards, but stigmas regarding who belongs in construction remain. The industry has long been deemed a space for men, and some women worry about being seen as unfeminine while others are concerned with safety. Even though business leaders urge cultivating diverse workplaces, enduring stigmas contribute to the gender divide. More and more women are recognizing the diverse opportunities and earning potential the construction field has to offer. For their contributions, women earn an average of 99.1% of what their male counterparts make compared to the 82% average across other industries.Įrasing Stigmas Associated with Women in Construction Another 45% are in sales and office roles. Of the women employed in the construction field, 31% are in professional management roles.
While the majority of craft professionals manning the loaders are, well, men, women are making critical decisions and taking care of business behind the scenes. Women have recognized the changing industry and stepped up to lead. But, of the women in the construction field, many are in management or professional roles. In 2018, fewer than one in 20 construction workers were women. Without gender-specific restrictions, women began entering the construction field. Today, hydraulic equipment renders physical strength less important, not to mention more women are becoming physically stronger. For years, men were the best fit for construction work due to the brute strength required for tasks like hauling heavy materials. Thanks in large part to technological advancements, society’s view of working in construction has changed over time. The Changing Face of the Construction Industry To date, the rise of women in the construction field has helped advance the industry and such growth is encouraging organizations to further invest in this trend. In addition to dramatically improving women’s lives and increasing their bargaining power in society, women working in the industry can create new jobs, enhance consumer choice and boost the economy. Women who overcome the stigma are rewarded for their perseverance, and they are not alone in benefiting. Overcoming these barriers is especially difficult for women belonging to marginalized populations. Despite women making up just over 10% of the construction workforce, there is still a stigma surrounding work in the construction industry. It’s no secret (and no surprise really) that women’s relationships with the trades are as complicated as erecting a 100-story skyscraper. But, as the gender breakdown of the industry changes, so might the idea of a stereotypical construction worker. Society has been slow to accept the fact that women are just as capable of driving forklifts, swinging hammers and donning hardhats. If you asked someone to close their eyes and picture a construction worker, most people would envision a man.
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