Are You Ready for Women in Construction Week?
The 25th Annual Women in Construction Week is right around the corner! As you get ready for the big week on March 5-11, here are some of the ways you can show your support for women in construction – both during WIC Week and year-round
How you can support women in construction
1. Train leaders & employees
According to Statista, the share of female employees in the construction sector has been increasing over the past couple of years. However, in 2021 only one-tenth of construction workers were women. That means 90% of construction employees have never walked a day in a woman’s shoes, leading to blind spots within many workplaces in the industry.
By offering workshops and training for employees on implicit bias, discrimination, and other issues facing women in the workplace, you can introduce important tools for awareness that help create a more welcoming environment for women.
2. Provide networking opportunities
Since women make up only approximately 10% of the construction sector, seek out and implement opportunities for women to connect with other women: Offer to pay for memberships to professional associations, chamber events, and gatherings centered on championing women in the workplace. (NAWIC and PWC are excellent places to start.)
3. Donate to your local NAWIC or PWC chapter
NAWIC, PWC, and other organizations that champion women operate on tight budgets. By donating to your local chapter, you can increase access to vital resources for women and thereby help to elevate women across the construction industry.
4. Diversify your perspective
It’s true what they say: Knowledge is power. By attending events, reading articles, and surrounding yourself with people whose experiences are different than your own, you’ll gain a deeper, more well-rounded perspective on the multitude of issues facing women in construction today. It’s a win-win-win: Good for you, good for women, and good for the industry as a whole.
5. Be an ally
Being an ally is the most effective way to recruit, retain and support women that want to work in construction. With your allyship, the construction industry can find new ways to diversify and elevate the industry as a whole.
About the Author
Shannon McKain is a motivational keynote speaker and a business consultant based in Dallas, TX. She has worked in almost all 50 states with audiences ranging from corporate executives to student leaders.
Looking for a keynote speaker or consultant who can speak on these issues with expertise? Let’s chat!
