Women in construction are making a difference, and how! While men have traditionally dominated the construction industry, women are increasingly breaking the barriers and shaping successful careers in construction.

Like men, women feel empowered to change people’s quality of life while working in construction—engaged in the construction of buildings or engineering projects (highways, utility systems, etc.) or other construction work, including additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs.

According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research data, “women gain jobs in construction trades but remain underrepresented” in the field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report also states that “women were substantially underrepresented (relative to their share of total employment) in construction (10.3 percent).

Significant reasons include inadequate training, irregular working hours, lack of recognition, and slow payment. Other critical aspects are gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) that pose serious risks to community members, workers, and service users. From a construction tradeswoman to a construction manager, it takes a lot for a woman to elevate her career in the construction occupation and earn her share of dignity and respect.

Women in Construction: The Journey from Rare Representation to Role Models

Gone are the days when you rarely saw women workers at a construction site. A general contractor or a subcontractor would typically employ men to manage construction tasks. Is construction just for men? Certainly not. In recent times, construction companies are more likely than ever before to leverage the potential of the female workforce.

As the industry increasingly sees the entry of women at the leadership level, women construction owners with expertise in construction management—from negotiating construction contracts and managing day-to-day responsibilities—are becoming role models for women aspiring for a fruitful career in construction.

Getting a government construction contract or implementing construction technology isn’t difficult for a woman who knows how to navigate the construction landscape. Construction site safety measures, flexible working options, and pay equality are sure to attract and retain women without letting go of the precious workforce.

Challenges in the Construction Industry

Working in the construction industry isn’t without its challenges. A female construction worker may have to face a variety of working conditions and project management obstacles. Gender diversity and gender bias are two sides of the same coin—the construction industry needs to manage both to achieve professional parity and long-term sustainability.

However, breaking the bias is possible with dedicated efforts. Recent news demonstrates the readiness of the construction industry to make jobsites safer and sustainable for women employees.

Examples include:

• Tailoring the personal protective equipment (PPE)—including safety equipment, clothing, and other garments—to fit women.
• Implementing policies, procedures, grievance mechanisms, among others to address workplace gender-based violence and harassment.
• Having gender-specific restrooms on construction sites.

Maintaining clean, separate bathrooms for male and female workers is important because Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) sanitation standard, 29 CFR 1926.51, requires “employers to provide accessible sanitary facilities for ALL personnel.”

Whether it’s a new commercial construction that requires a seasoned project manager or a skyscraper renovation project that demands a civil engineering specialist, a woman is as capable as a man to succeed in the construction industry. Globally, efforts are on to create women-centric workplaces to nurture creativity and cohesive collaboration.

Opportunities in the Construction Industry

Be it a man or a woman, a construction worker is a strong asset to a construction firm. One of the tasks on the to-do list of a construction manager is to find construction project leads. However, what makes the real difference after winning a contract is building the right team for a construction project.

It’s time to embrace hiring best practices on a large scale and take the construction business to the next level with women power.

A woman stepping into the industry may look up to another woman in a leadership role for action-oriented advice. The new-age construction industry requires a woman to don the mantle of a construction expert and seize the opportunity to change the status quo. The opportunity to move ahead is now. A top-down approach is essential for employing and engaging women in the construction sector.

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How to Choose a Construction Career?

Choosing a construction career is one of the best career choices for women across the world. Many construction companies offer diverse roles, such as apprenticeship, scholarships, etc., to expand knowledge and forge a career path in the construction sector. However, applying for a job at a construction company demands a thorough understanding of the role and a mature skill set.

Are you prepared for a fulfilling career in construction? Take advantage of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) programs for workforce development. For example, the ABC National Student Chapter Network (NSCN) connects colleges and universities with construction-related degree programs to local ABC chapters.

Involvement in the student chapter allows you to interact with ABC National and chapter staff, member contractors, and others to gain industry knowledge and participate in job site tours, career awareness events, career fairs, etc. Learn powerful career-centric lessons, widen your network, and get ready for a brilliant career!

Furthermore, you can look online for the latest information on construction jobs in the United States and other countries. You can also review country-specific job boards or employment websites for career opportunities.

Construction Industry Associations and Events

Do you want to gain key insights and learn more about upcoming events? Take a look at the leading construction industry associations and events:

Moore Community House

The Moore Community House Women in Construction Program has trained more than 700 women since the first class in 2008 and continues to maintain an excellent placement rate above 70% through comprehensive supportive services.

As the industry demand increases for a trained workforce, the program aims to enable women to pursue career opportunities in the trades and advanced manufacturing and apply for well-paying construction trade jobs.

NAWIC

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) helps women advance their careers in a male-dominated field. With over 115 chapters throughout the United States, NAWIC carries forward the legacy of women builders, professionals, and tradeswomen.

As a leading professional association that provides members with education, leadership training, networking, professional development opportunities, public service, and more, NAWIC proudly celebrates the Women in Construction Week™ (WIC Week™, March 6-12, 2022).

This year’s theme, “Envision Equity,” seeks to raise opportunity awareness for women to enjoy different roles, including administrative positions, business ownership, project managers, and tradeswomen.  

Professional Women in Construction

Professional Women in Construction (PWC) is a community of professionals in the architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) and related industries to connect and engage for business opportunities. Member benefits include exclusive member resources, leadership, and networking opportunities as well as a scholarship and mentorship program.

The PWC mentor program effectively provides a mentee with first-hand knowledge of a mentor’s work experience and an opportunity to benefit from on-the-job training (OJT) for a successful transition from mentorship and internship to a rewarding full-time career in construction.

2022 Women in Construction Fall Conference

The gender gap in the construction industry is evident by studies that show that women constitute “just over 2% of trades workers and 10% of management and support staff.” How can we make the change happen? Learn how at the construction conference that is a converging destination for breakout sessions, panel discussions, keynote speakers, one-of-a-kind networking, and takeaways to ensure an equitable and inclusive industry.

Women in Construction Leadership and Networking Conference

The Women in Construction (WIC) Conference is a premier forum for education, networking, and professional development for women in the construction industry. With the motto, “By Women, for Women,” the organization empowers women to continue growing and achieving success in the community.

The conference provides mentoring and networking opportunities to all attendees. The attendees include architects, construction consulting companies, developers, engineers, general contractors, law firms, non-profits, representatives from trade associations, and subcontractors.

Learning from senior executives and industry professionals can help you uncover new paths in construction and position yourself for success.

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Conclusion

A construction career is no longer a dream—in reality, it’s a sustainable and successful career path for women. The construction field is opening up new opportunities for women worldwide. The modern construction workforce celebrates diversity and inclusion. Inclusive industry initiatives and policies will have to be adopted and implemented extensively to foster women talent and reposition the industry for long-term value.

The construction industry has changed a lot, so it’s very encouraging to see more women taking up the profession. But, work still has to be done to facilitate a positive workplace culture that reinforces a progressive mindset and improves project outcomes. Mentoring and better networking with industry leaders go a long way in understanding the industry well and creating a customized plan for career success.

When it comes to breaking the bias, pushing the boundaries is a must.

The insights and inclusiveness that women bring to the construction space are unparalleled in value and scope. From construction workers and construction engineers to environmental managers and health & safety advisers, women in construction are leading the way toward a better and brighter future.

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