Kelly Aust, a project manager for Skanska and current President of the National Women’s Association of Construction (Nawic), knows the challenges of women in the construction industry. AUS, which manages a $ 65 million project at Portland State University, AUST is preparing for the next week of Nawic Women in Construction (WIC), a national series of live and virtual events on March 2-8 of 2025, celebrating the expanding papers of women in construction. .
Discovering Wic Week: A transformative moment
AUST was first found in Wic Week after joining the Portland of Nawic in 2013, and left a lasting impression. “Wic Week introduced me to a world of construction possibilities,” recalls Aust. “Coming from non -construction training, I realized that women need to contribute so much to this field and there are countless opportunities that expect to be explored.”
Although women are currently only 11% of construction labor, initiatives such as Wic Week are vital to interesting and showing young women the opportunities of this industry. “Wic Week helps raise awareness of the diversity of available races, especially young women who have not considered construction as an option,” says Aust.
Empowered women in the industry
Wic Week not only serves as an introduction for newcomers, but also allows women who are already working in the industry. Aust believes that he offers a valuable opportunity for professionals to step back and reflect on his progress.
“In construction, it is easy to focus only on the task we are dealing with,” says Aust. “Wic Week offers an opportunity to step back, celebrate our successes and consider where the industry goes.”
For AUS, participating in the Wic Week also emphasizes the importance of providing support for women throughout their career. “Wic Week provides a platform to recognize how far we have come and what we can still achieve,” he adds.
Diversity in construction: a critical advantage
Aust also highlights the value of diversity in the construction industry, emphasizing that Wic Week reminds everyone what integral diversity is to be successful. “It is amazing that diversity still has resistance in a dynamic and interconnected industry as construction,” says Aust. “Incorporating various perspectives leads to more creative solutions and this benefits everyone.”
The increasing presence of women has led to other changes, such as increasing demand for policies with better labor/life balance. “Many men in the industry are now driving parental leave and flexible work options and would not have these expectations if women had not directed the way,” adds Aust.
“Together We Rise”: A unified call to change
The theme of the Wic Week 2025, “Together We Rise”, is a call to collective action. Aust emphasizes that this is not only women, but also everyone in the industry who meets to build a more inclusive and successful future.
“Construction is an industry that prosper in diversity and that we all benefit when we create a culture that works for everyone,” he says. “The future of construction depends on our ability to find new ways to bring people to the field and this requires that we all work together.”
Moments of Wic Week to remember
Reflecting on his experiences with Wic Week, Aust recalls several prominent moments that captured the spirit of the event. “Portland’s annual fund collection,” A Night with Nawic “, became a powerful platform for sharing the success stories of local women in construction. It was amazing to hear how many women had overcome challenges and Broken barriers to industry.
Aust also highlights the international impact of Wic Week. “The Nawic Palmetto chapter, SC of the South Atlantic region, hosted a virtual panel with Nawic UK. The auditory perspectives of women in the industry in different countries opened my eyes to the challenges and shared successes we all face, “he says.” It was an exciting experience to realize that, despite our geographical differences, we are all Working towards the same objective: We avoid women in construction. “
Involve -vos
As the Wic Week 2025 approaches, AUST encourages everyone to the construction industry -ashomas and women -to participate. “Together, we can create a more inclusive, innovative and sustainable future for construction,” he says. For more information or participating, visit Nawic’s website.
About nawic
The National Association of Women under construction (Nawic) was founded in 1953 by sixteen women in Fort Worth, Texas, to create a women’s support network in construction fields. Today, Nawic has 119 chapters throughout the United States, offering professional development, education, network opportunities and leadership training. Through initiatives such as Wic Week and collaborations with organizations such as Construction Angels, Nawic continues to advance their mission to support women and foster diversity in industry.
