The construction industry is often seen as a predominantly male industry. For years, men dominated construction jobs, and working in construction or the trades wasn’t a common career path for women.
As the years go by, the workforce, in general, continues to grow and diversify—part of that diversification is more women in construction jobs.
However, there’s still a long way to go.
Below, we’ll dive into why women in the construction industry are important moving forward and what it means to Triumph Modular. But first, let’s talk numbers.
How Many Women Are Working In the Construction Industry?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 10.9% of the construction workforce is made up of women.
This may seem like a reasonable number—however, this percentage also includes women in office or admin roles. Of the 10.9% of women in the construction industry, around 87% of them are in office positions.
It’s not all bad news, though.A 2022 survey done by Business Wire found some interesting facts:
- 76% of women believe that the role of women in construction is changing for the better
- 85% of respondents mentioned that their coworkers are respectful toward women
- 76% of them think that their employers treat them equally to the men they work with
We would, of course, like to see these numbers reach 100%, but this is a great start, and many of these numbers are up from previous years.
Why Is Having Women in the Construction Industry Important?
One of the most important reasons why women in construction are important is that the industry needs more people in general.
By 2026, it’s estimated that 29% of the current construction workforce will retire. Five more years down the line in 2031, and we’re looking at a number closer to 41%.
These labor shortages are going to severely affect construction projects, from housing to new business developments and much more.
So, what does this have to do with women in construction jobs?
Encouraging more young women to join the workforce in construction jobs is crucial for battling these labor shortages. There are many non-profits who devote their time to encouraging women to join the trades and helping them get started, including:
- Women In Skilled Trades (WIST)
- Vermont Works For Women
- The National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC)
- Massachusetts Girls in Trades
- Tools & Tiaras
One of the best ways to inspire these young women is to have role models for them to follow—women in the industry who are already succeeding in these positions, for example.
With just under 11% of the construction industry workforce being women, there’s a huge amount of untapped potential for recruiting women to help aid the labor shortage. Part of this is likely caused by doubt—many women likely don’t even know that construction can be a viable career choice for them. Supporting the women currently in the industry and treating them as equals will be crucial for bringing more young women into the industry.
There are more practical reasons why women in construction jobs are important, too. After all, diversity in any industry brings a difference in opinions and ideas. Everyone thinks differently!
Construction jobs often involve a lot of problem-solving. By bringing more women into the industry, we open up new opportunities for methods or approaches to problem-solving and project management that may not have been thought of before.
Women at Triumph Modular
At Triumph Modular, we recognize the incredible contributions of the women who are a part of our organization. Equality and diversity are crucial to us, and we will continue to champion the women pursuing careers in such a fulfilling industry.
Here are some sentiments that women at Triumph Modular shared on the topic:
“I’ve always been supported in my work-life balance and never had to choose my family over getting something done at work. Having a family and juggling the demands of working full-time has never felt overwhelming in that I would be disappointing my team or our leadership.”
“I didn’t come from a construction background and started in an entry-level position at Triumph. Since then, Triumph has supported my career growth, seeing my skills and talents and the training I needed for my new role. I feel empowered by the responsibility and impact I have on the business. My knowledge has grown so much, and I learn something new every day, which is exciting.”
“The mentoring of others who were generous in their knowledge allowed me to engage and not just sit behind a desk. I could go to where the work was happening, where questions were welcome, and apply what I learned. I have never felt that my gender was a negative thing.”
We look forward to a diverse future with more women in construction jobs, and we’ll continue to do our part in supporting them to follow their dreams.
