Mark your calendars! Women in Construction week begins March 5, 2023. Women in Construction week celebrates and highlights the work and progress of women in the construction industry. The construction industry has historically been one of the most male-dominated industries in the U.S. However, as women continue to break boundaries, the number of women in construction has been slowly increasing. Women in Construction week hopes to not only applaud these efforts, but also provide career and networking opportunities for women interested in joining the construction industry.
The History of Women in Construction Week
Women in Construction Week was started in 1998 by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). The NAWIC unofficially began in 1953 by a group of women construction workers hoping to help others break into the industry. The movement was extremely successful and in 1955 the NAWIC was officially established. Today, the NAWIC has more than 115 chapters across the United States. The organization works to help women start and advance their careers to become leaders in the industry. They provide their members with networking opportunities, educational resources, and a place to connect with other women in the industry. During Women in Construction week, the NAWIC and its local chapters hold events. This includes making presentations to high school classes, job site tours, luncheons and virtual events.
Checkout the NAWIC’s March 2023 Schedule.
Women in Construction Statistics
There is a lot of room and opportunities for women in construction! According to the 2021 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women now make up 11% of the construction industry. That’s up from 9.3% in 2002 and 10.9% in 2020. However, of those women, a majority work in administrative or office jobs with just 4% involved in skilled trades. With the continued shortage of skilled trade workers in construction, there is great opportunity for women to start filling these roles. Additionally, women in the construction industry earn almost as much as men -making 99.1% of what men make. This is a lot more than the national average of 81.1%.
Quick look:
- Women make up 11% of the Construction industry.
- Women working in construction made up 1.5 percent of the U.S. workforce in 2018.
- A majority work in administrative or office positions.
- Women in construction make 99.1% of what men make, which is much higher than the national average of 81.1%
How to Celebrate Women In Construction Week
There are many ways to celebrate Women in Construction Week. It can be as simple as posting updates about the holiday on social media to volunteering at local schools and career events. Some ways that your company can celebrate Women in Construction week are:
- Get involved with your local chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction.
- Celebrate your women construction employees by highlighting them on your websites and social media.
- Reach out to schools and career fairs to promote careers in construction for women.
- Cultivate a fair, safe and positive working environment for employees of all genders and backgrounds.
Some ways individuals can celebrate the holiday:
- Educate yourself on women in construction with podcasts.
- Post your support for women in construction with the #WomeninConstructionWeek hashtag on your preferred social media sites.
- Donate to NAWIC or purchase products from their online store.
- Break stereotypes about women in construction by encouraging others to learn more about the holiday.
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