March 1-7 is National Women in Construction week. According to the National Association of Women in Construction, this week was created to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry, and to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the industry. Women in Construction week has been around for 60 years, with the first celebration happening in 1960 in Amarillo, Texas.
Construction, like many other trades, tends to be a more male-dominated industry. Women make up just under 10 percent of construction professionals, with many of them holding jobs in sales or office roles. About one fourth of women in construction are employed in physical labor roles. On a positive note, the construction industry does have one of the smallest gender pay gaps, with women in the industry making on average 99.1 percent of what men make. With the industry facing a large labor shortage overall, there is a great opportunity for women to make gains in the field.
While there are many reasons that there are more men than women in the construction industry, the biggest is probably general stereotyping. Many people, women and men alike, don’t associate construction as a “typical” job for women. This week gives the opportunity to celebrate the women who are working in construction, and encourage more to join.
Throughout the week, NAWIC has hosted various events to celebrate womenin the industry, including tours of job sites, community service projects, workshops, and more. Take a look here to find a NAWIC chapter near you, and be sure to shout of your favorite woman in construction on social media!