A new report by the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) highlights strategies for increasing participation and expediting the success of women in the trades to improve project outcomes.
To tell a fuller story beyond the existing research on women in the construction industry, typically centered around numbers and statistics, the NCCER interviewed 176 tradeswomen and analyzed 770 responses to a survey directed to women in the industry. By asking women about their experiences working in construction, the NCCER focused on the unique benefits women bring to the construction industry, the obstacles they encounter entering and staying in the industry, and their advice on what contractors can do to recruit and retain more women in the craft workforce.
“With an expected shortage of 1.9 million craft professionals through 2025, there is tremendous opportunity for women to get involved in an industry that offers competitive wages, benefits, and career growth,” said Jennifer Wilkerson, NCCER vice president of innovation and advancement, in a press release. “If we want construction careers to be a viable option for all people, we have to change the culture and perception of our industry, starting with our own projects.”
In their interviews and surveys, women shared their recommendations on how to better recruit and retain women on project sites and on an industry level. They also provided suggestions and guidance on tackling well-known industry obstacles and more surprising challenges women face.
NCCER compiled results of the surveys and interviews into a white paper, In Her Own Words: Improving Project Outcomes. The complete report is available for free on NCCER’s website.
Interested in discussing these issues in person, with advocates for and allies of under-represented groups in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries? Join us April 12 in Charlotte, N.C. at the Elevate Reception at NASCC: The Steel Conference, where we’re showcasing all of the amazing work being done by the AEC industry non-profits focusing on equity, diversity, and inclusion.