The week of March 1st – 7th is official National Women In Construction Week!
A Celebration Of Women In The Industry
Throughout the entire week, the National Association of Women in Construction will highlight the roles of women in construction and will share opportunities for women in the industry.
The NAWIC was founded in 1953 knowing that the exceptionally small number of women in construction would need support throughout their careers. The association provides opportunities for education, networking, leadership training, and more.
According to the association, at the end of December 2018, there were around 1,100,000 women working in various positions in the construction industry. This makes up only 10% of all construction workers.
The positions that women work in the most include project management, sales, transportation, and service occupations.
Why Should Women Consider A Career In Construction?
There are many reasons why women may want to consider a career in the construction industry:
Leadership Opportunities
The construction industry is full of leadership opportunities, from professional corporation roles to site management roles. Professional growth can be explosive.
Smaller Than Average Pay Gap
Women in the United States are still fighting for a fair wage in the vast majority of industries. On average, women make about 81 cents for every dollar earned by men. In the construction industry, women typically make between 95 – 99 cents per dollar made by men.
There Is A Labor Shortage
In the construction industry, there is always a shortage of qualified labor. This provides excellent job security.
What Are Challenges Faced By Women In Construction?
Women in construction are paving the way for future generations and naturally, this comes with challenges.
Higher Risk Of Injury
The harsh reality is that safety gear is designed and made for men. This puts women at risk because that gear doesn’t necessarily fit or function the way that it should.
A Large Percentage Of Companies Don’t Monitor The Pay Gap
Although women in construction generally experience a smaller pay gap than average, a large percentage of construction companies don’t monitor the pay gap at all.
Gender Discrimination
Although the construction industry has come a long way, the reality is that gender discrimination still occurs and the majority of complaints are made by women.
Overall, however, the construction industry is an excellent place for women to start and make their careers. Learn more by researching various opportunities throughout National Women In Construction Week!
