By Jessica Deleault, Account Manager – Northern NE
Where are all of the women? Looking at the construction industry from the outside, it doesn’t take too long to realize that it is a male landscape. According to reports, less than 10% of the construction staff consists of women. Regardless of the employment type or the position level, hiring managers prefer to offer opportunities for a construction career almost exclusively to male employees. By doing so, they eliminate construction skills that the building sector desperately needs, especially due to the increasing labor shortage. In order to take advantage of the potential that women employees bring to the industry, companies need to start building gender equality in construction. Below, we offer some steps on how to achieve that goal.
Build a Strategy
The construction industry has been dominated with the old fashioned mentality that only male workers have the qualifications and capabilities to staff it. That said, there is limited space for females to start a construction career. Changing this narrative requires more than just a statement or good intentions. Companies need to put together a strategy around building gender equality in construction and determine how they plan to carry it out. This makes it easier for current staff to stand behind the company plan and work as a team to increase the number of female employees.
Offer Incentives
The construction industry is facing a constantly growing labor shortage and companies are having a hard time locating the construction skills they need. Organizations are looking for ways to attract and retain a stable workforce that will stay for the long haul. The equation does not take into account the female population that wants to work in construction. Organizations need to give incentives to women such as flexible schedules and maternity leave in order to facilitate their decision to go for a construction career. Building gender equality in construction is a great way to address the workforce shortages.
Affiliate to Organizations
Another great way to break ground with gender equality is to join forces with those who encourage and promote the development of women in the industry. Construction companies need to become members of associations and organizations that work to help women grow their construction skills and have a construction career. This has the dual effect of both giving the organization access to a previously unseen workforce and at the same time establishing the company as an industry leader by building gender equality in construction.
Ongoing Training and All-Inclusive Approach
It goes without saying that in order for a company to promote gender equality they must make it a company norm. This means that they need to take all of the necessary steps to ensure that they create the conditions and opportunities for female employees to grow in the company. In addition, they must offer ongoing training to help women move up in the organization’s hierarchy. The company norm must extend to and be adopted by subcontractors. They need to be on the same page and follow the company’s standards at all times.
Get them Early
What makes a building strong is its foundation. If the foundation is not laid right the building won’t stand. The same principle applies when building gender equality in construction. In order to do it right, a company needs to start from the beginning. They must engage and work closely with trade schools to draw women into the industry. By interacting with female trade students before they make a career decision, you can show them that a construction career offers great potential and encourage them to pursue it.
Key Takeaways to Building Gender Equality in Construction:
1. Develop a company strategy on how to promote gender equality
2. Offer incentives to attract, retain and help women grow in your company
3. Join associations and organizations that work to build gender equality
4. Offer training that helps women grow and ensure subcontractors adapt to the company culture
5. Engage and work closely with trade schools to draw women into the industry
About TradeSource
Founded in 1993, TradeSource is a construction labor solutions firm focused on delivering labor solutions to contractors throughout the United States. By supplying skilled tradespeople – where and when they’re needed – we help contractors grow their companies, without the associated costs and hassles of full-time hires. Likewise, we match qualified employees with rewarding and well-paying job opportunities in the construction industry. www.tradesource.com
