Construction is one of the industries that you might think of when you consider an industry dominated primarily by men.
Women hold only 10,9% of jobs in construction in the United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates women will make up one out of 10 construction workers by 2020.
The construction industry benefits only from 1.25% of women, despite the fact that women account for 47% of its total workforce. This huge gender gap is due to a number of factors, including unconscious bias, inadequate training, and a negative perception of women in construction. Women continue to make their way in the construction industry despite these obstacles. In the United States, the number of women working in construction has increased by 2% in comparison to 2011, when they made up just 8.9%.
BLS estimates that construction will grow by 4 % between 2021-2031. This is about 168.500 new jobs per year for the next decade. Companies are now looking to hire more women to fill the void created by this rapid and steady growth.
What can women do in construction?
The industry is a place where women can do any job. Currently, women are underrepresented in executive and trade positions. By 2020, the majority of women employed in construction will be in sales and office positions.
Here is a breakdown of the different roles women hold in the construction industry.
- Office roles: 87%
- Tradespeople: 2.5%
- Staff Executive Positions: 14%
- Line of Executive Positions: 7%
Women in the industry inspire younger generations by following in their footsteps.
Women Leading the Way
Women are making progress in leadership roles despite the fact that they remain underrepresented. Women executives and construction managers have risen to these positions in large numbers over the past five years. This suggests that women are being promoted more recently into leadership roles.
Kim Roy
Kim Roy became CEO of HITT Contracting after 18 years with the company. Roy, a leader at HITT Contracting, was named in the Top 40 Under 40 class by Building Design + Construction Magazine for 2009 and received the Commercial Observer’s 2019 Top Women In Real Estate — Innovative Award. Kim stated in an interview with NAIOP that she hopes to attract more women into a traditionally masculine industry by using her leadership position.
Meirav Oren
Meirav Oren, who co-founded Versatile in 2016, has been making waves in the construction sector over the last few years. Versatile received over 100 million dollars in funding during Oren’s tenure as CEO. In 2019, it launched CraneView, an AI-powered device that improves crane operator safety and efficiency.
Kylie Rampa
Kylie Rampa, CEO of QIC, oversees strategy and operations at the development investment company. Rampa’s most recent position was as Group Head of Investment for Lendlease Australia. This company is involved in construction, infrastructure, and development projects around the world. She has extensive real estate and construction experience.
Women in Construction: Learning Resources
Women must be able to access resources that are tailored to their needs in order for them to enter a field as competitive and growing as construction. Companies and associations are increasing efforts to educate and promote women in their organizations and encourage young women to work in the construction industry.
Women’s Organizations
Nationally recognized organizations like the National Association of Women in Construction NAWIC and Women Construction Owners & Executives USA offer mentorship, networking, and marketing opportunities for women new to the industry. Jenny Brongo of Brongo Contracting and Supply, Rochester, NY, used NAWIC’s resources to help her run her business successfully after her father died.
Construction Courses & Educational Materials
In some areas, the largest construction companies work with local communities to provide courses and boot camps for girls and women who are interested in the field. Many cities offer apprenticeship programs to help recruit women and prepare them for exams. They also train them in job-specific skills. Visit the NAWIC site to find a wealth of educational resources that will benefit both those who want to enter the construction industry and those currently working in it.
Forums on Construction and Conferences
Women in construction is a topic that is discussed and celebrated at many conferences. NAWIC’s annual conference offers professional workshops and seminars for women. The ground-breaking women in the construction provide management training to women and help them bridge the pay gap in their workplace.
Women can also stay informed about the industry by reading blogs such as Constructing Equality or Tradeswomen. These blogs tackle diversity issues and provide original research. They also highlight scholarship opportunities and share personal anecdotes and stories.
Diversity drives performance
This report by McKinsey & Co. reveals that despite the fact that more diversity in the construction industry doesn’t exist today, companies with the highest gender diversity are 25% more likely than those without to have above-average profits. Hiring more women after a year-long expansion in the industry is an ideal way to take advantage of that growth.
The report showed that companies with more female executives had better financial results than those without. Women who occupied 30% or more executive positions were 48% more likely to outperform their less-diverse competitors.
Randstad discovered that, despite the fact that more diversity leads to greater success, women executives were more likely than men to hold staff positions (14%) compared with line positions (7%). The men are in a different situation, with 46% of line executives and 33% staff executives.
How can construction companies recruit more women?
Women are still underrepresented in the construction industry. In order to increase retention and recruitment, companies need to remove gender bias in their workplace culture and create training programs and mentorship groups that are tailored to women’s specific needs. They should also include more women as part of the interviewing process and encourage them to be role models for women. In addition, educational programs and schools must emphasize the importance of STEM careers for women.
The industry’s current shortage of workers presents an opportunity for more women to be hired in construction. Many companies hesitate to adopt new technology in construction because of different reasons. One such reason is a lack of staff. Engaging and educating women to work in IT departments can improve diversity and help reduce the shortage of staff.
While there are still obstacles to women entering the construction industry, diversity has been proven to be a powerful tool in boosting profitability and solving labor shortages in the construction sector. As more women are breaking down gender stereotypes and re-leveling the playing fields, the construction industry is making more strides to be a more inclusive and diverse space for future generations.
The infographic below will help you learn more about the women who are transforming the construction industry. It also provides key statistics. Women in construction are essential in creating a diverse and equal workforce.
You deserve the best equipment, no matter if you’re starting in the industry or you are paving the way for others. You can rely on BigRentz to provide you with the right equipment. We can help you with a variety of rentals, whether it’s for a single day or a whole month.