Branching out to women in construction

Women in construction are like the canopy layer in a rainforest – through adversity and challenging conditions, their presence always prevails, blooming a net of success to catch our infrastructure.

Just as every component plays a distinct role in maintaining the balance of the rainforests' ecosystem, women in construction contribute indispensably to the vitality and sustainability of the built environment. No stranger to a harsh climate, collectively, their contributions, successes, and the struggles they've overcome are reshaping the narrative of a traditionally male-dominated field.

Join us as we part the branches and shine the sunlight on how women are breaking ground and building a more inclusive future for the construction industry.

Women are building tree-mendous success

Like a garden after a rain storm, women in construction have weathered the climate with flying colours in recent years. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the past 11 years, there has been a consistent 60.5% increase in the number of women in the industry, with almost half a million joining. Especially noteworthy is the 10% increase in women in management positions in the past year, adding 48,000 more to roles like management, professional, and related occupations.

This surge highlights a cultural shift in the industry, recognized as a positive evolution towards valuing diversity in leadership.

Challenge the climate – not the women – in construction

While the positive trend in management is remarkable, it's met with losses in other construction areas for women over the past year. The main challenge resides in women leaving the industry not due to knowledge or physical capabilities, but rather from a lack of support. Issues such as harassment, limited career advancement opportunities, and inflexible work environments, especially for parents, are the leading causes contributing to women exiting the construction field.

How to turn pressure into diamonds

Though women's challenges in construction are far from glamorous, we would be remiss to neglect the tacit resilience of a system that turns pressurized entities into invaluable assets.

To improve our processes and deliver on diversity, the construction sector must focus on advertising where the target audience resides by promoting construction careers among young girls through school partnerships, workshops, and mentorship programs. Above all, retention improves when there is a welcoming and safe work environment that includes strict anti-discrimination policies, support for those balancing family responsibilities, and facilities like gender-neutral restrooms.

One organization that is helping provide support in this area is the National Women in Roofing Association (NWIR), which actively supports and advances women in the roofing profession through various initiatives. By offering financial aid to break down barriers, raising awareness about women's contributions, and recognizing diverse talents and achievements through awards, the NWIR provides some examples of the many ways we can empower women in construction.

Develop the landscape to change the geography

Sometimes, when an ecosystem lacks balance, a little strategized human intervention goes a long way. Building up women in construction is essential for fostering innovation, addressing skill shortages, and creating a more resilient industry, as varied perspectives lead to enhanced problem-solving and creativity. With the construction sector facing labour shortages, tapping into a diverse talent pool helps meet workforce demands and ensures a sustainable industry.

Beyond the immediate benefits, encouraging diversity in construction contributes to breaking gender stereotypes, inspiring future generations, and aligning with ethical and legal standards, ultimately creating a more robust, adaptable, and booming construction industry.

No one knows a roof better than women in construction

In construction's ecosystem, women are not just participants; they are architects of change, engineers of progress, and builders of a more inclusive and resilient future.

By embracing the diversity that women bring to construction, we're not only dismantling long-standing gender stereotypes but also enriching the industry with various perspectives, skills, and talents. Much like a keystone species in nature, their presence holds the structure together and fosters an environment where innovation and progress can flourish.

As Beacon continues to champion inclusivity, let us use this push for diversity to punch a hole in the roof while breaking through the glass ceiling with equal opportunities, and make construction a place where the sky is the limit for everyone.