
This month, we’ve showcased dozens of women from companies all across Ohio in honor of Women in Construction Week. Why? Simply put: there’s an ever-growing gap in the number of women that choose a career in construction versus men. As of 2019, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women make up only 10.3% of the construction workforce. There’s so much untapped potential in women throughout Ohio and nationwide. If you’re ready to make a difference in the construction industry, no matter if you’re a woman or not, keep reading.
Women’s Expertise is Needed
Here at I Build America – Ohio, we know that construction careers are often seen two-dimensionally. We’ve found that people tend to think that skilled trades positions where people work with their hands are the only viable positions in the construction industry. But that just isn’t the case. Even if a woman doesn’t necessarily like to work with her hands, there are still other positions waiting for her. The modern construction industry is made up of a large number of positions, well beyond skilled laborers on the jobsite. To make any construction project run smoothly, there is a team working behind-the-scenes. You, or a woman you may know, may have the skills that we need to fill the gender gap:
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Technology:
- Construction is a modern industry that utilizes the most advanced technology available. Careers in Construction Technology or IT Systems help us get the job done more efficiently and effectively. Without tech-minded individuals, we’d be stuck in the past.
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Organizational:
- Construction projects stay on time thanks to individuals with expert organizational skills, whether using a discerning eye at ground-level as a quality control technician like Jaide Hodgson or from a big-picture perspective as a project superintendent like Kelsey Greco.
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Leadership:
- This is the role we need to prioritize more than any other. When women are in a leadership role they can make a real difference and show the next generation of workers that they can, too. From executive level to firm ownership, safety management to supervisor, natural born female leaders thrive in construction — and we need them to. It’s no wonder that Randstad reported that one-third of companies they interviewed promoted a woman to a senior position in 2018.
Yes, You’re Right for the Job
The large gender gap in the construction workforce is the result of many causes, ranging from gender bias to a lack of training. One of the biggest factors is women’s common disbelief that they are qualified for a career in construction. This isn’t abnormal. Hewlett-Packard found that women will refrain from applying because they believe they don’t believe they have the necessary credentials to succeed. Men, on the other hand, will still apply even if they are 60% qualified. Just because you haven’t worked in construction in the past doesn’t mean you can never consider it.
There’s Plenty of Earning Potential
Unlike other industries, construction is reliable. Take Brandi, for example, who, even though she worked multiple jobs, was living paycheck to paycheck. That is, until she began her career in construction. Learn more about her story in our recent post: From Cleaning to Construction: Brandi’s Path to Career Fulfillment.
Not only does construction offer reliable pay, it provides a competitive salary for women. According to Payscale, women are paid at a higher percentage in construction than other industries. They found that women in the construction field make 96 cents to every dollar a man earns. This, when compared to the average across industries of only 81 cents to the dollar shows the reward that comes from excellent work in construction.
You’ll Receive in More Ways than One
Too often, women – and men, too – get stuck in a position that they use their skills for a purpose they don’t necessarily have a lot of passion for or much interest in outside of the office. Construction offers an opportunity to make a positive impact on your neighbors’ lives as you build Ohio.
International Women’s Day might have passed, but we will be celebrating Women in Construction Week all week long. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @ibuildamerica_ohio. Then, share this post on your social media with #WICWeek or #WICWeek2021 or directly with your hardworking female friends. Isn’t it time she shines in construction?