The need for workers within the labor force is currently at its peak, with an estimated 340,000 available job openings in 2024. As numbers have been steadily increasing throughout this past decade, it’s caused by several factors: the continued construction of single-family homes in low existing home inventories, investments in expanding factory building capacities, the normalization of supply chain disruptions that began early within the pandemic, and stabilizing input prices for construction materials.
With this rapid and persistent growth, companies are beginning to recruit more women to leverage their skills within the industry.
The construction field overall remains largely male-dominated, with women representing just a small fraction (despite making up 47% of the total workforce). According to a 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, women make up 10.8% of construction workers in the United States. This report also estimates that job opportunities in the labor force will only continue to grow by 4% until 2031 (around 168,500 new positions annually). Although women are capable of thriving in any construction role, their representation in trade and executive positions within the industry remains scarce.
Why are these numbers so drastically different, with so few women working in construction? This imbalance is due (but not limited) to many reasons; unconscious gender bias, limited training opportunities, and deeply-rooted stereotypes surrounding women in the field. As of 2022, the most common roles women work in are sales, office, and management departments.
Despite these challenges women face, progressive organizations and dedicated figures in construction are striving for a change. Many female executives and construction managers have worked their way to achieving their roles within the past five years, indicating that companies are increasingly advancing women into leadership positions. Since 2010, the percentage of women in construction has increased by 2%, rising from 8.9% to its current level. These women are not only inspiring the next generation of strong female role models, but also advancing themselves into higher leadership positions within the industry.
In order to effectively close this gender gap, increasing the amount of women employed in construction and developing recruiting techniques and retention strategies will require a range of different approaches. Expanding access to pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship training, increasing childcare resources, enhancing job site culture, and improving marketing and outreach efforts could help lessen these barriers. Fortunately, progressive companies and associations are also stepping up their efforts to support women within their organizations, as well as informing young women about the advantages of pursuing careers in the industry.
Nationally recognized organizations such as the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Women Construction Owners & Executives USA offer mentorship, marketing, and networking opportunities to support females entering the construction industry. The NAWIC website also offers a comprehensive list of helpful resources for those who aspire to work in construction and those already in the field.
A 2023 McKinsey & Co. report highlights a significant financial benefit for companies where women constitute more than 30% of the workforce. Following a year of overall industry growth in 2022, increasing the number of women in the workforce is a top-tier strategic way to leverage this financial expansion.
Numerous conferences are additionally held that focus on celebrating and exploring the role of women in construction. Such events offer professional seminars and workshops that are female-oriented, while others provide management training and strategies for addressing pay disparities. Additionally, women can keep informed about industry developments through blogs and/or websites that help address diversity issues, present original research, highlight scholarship opportunities, and share personal stories and experiences. Women in construction are crucial for fostering a more stable and diverse workforce for everyone. Greater diversity leads to greater success.
For inquiries relating to dental, medical, optical, or veterinary construction, contact DENCO Medical Construction Specialists, LLC at (469) 939-2989.
RESOURCES:
https://media.bizj.us/view/img/11840301/jll-construction-outlook-h2-2020.pdf
www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/construction-laborers-and-helpers.htm#
www.commerce.gov/bureaus-and-offices/ousea/spotlight-women-construction-industry
www.fixr.com/articles/women-in-construction-week#women_in_construction_week_key_statistics
www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace
www.randstad.co.uk/about-us/diversity-inclusion-wellbeing/workplace-gender-equality/
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