In 2023, the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) conducted interviews with 176 tradespeople and analyzed 770 responses to a survey of women in the industry. The results were compiled into a white paper, In Her Own Words: Improving Project Outcomes, which was designed to help employers recruit, hire and retain women in craft positions.
NCCER’s goal was to go beyond the numbers and statistics typically presented in research on women in construction. The white paper highlights the unique benefits women bring to the construction workforce and the obstacles they face entering and remaining in the industry.
“The American economy is at a critical juncture. We must refocus manufacturing, decarbonize energy and improve our infrastructure,” said NCCER CEO Boyd Worsham. “As we continue to struggle to create a workforce to meet these needs, we must recognize that we are not effectively appealing to the largest percentage of the population, women, in our recruitment and retention efforts.”
As a follow-up to In Her Own Words: Improving Project Outcomes, NCCER compiled recommendations to help contractors recruit and retain women in the construction industry. This new publication, In Her Own Words: A Call to Action From the Field, highlights actionable elements contractors can take to build more inclusive projects and companies.
“With a projected shortage of 1.9 million craft professionals by 2025, there is a huge opportunity for women to get involved in an industry that offers competitive wages, benefits and career growth,” said Jennifer Wilkerson, vice president of ‘innovation and progress of the NCCER. “If we want construction careers to be a viable option for all people, we need to change the culture and perception of our industry, starting with our own projects.”
There are opportunities to help create a more welcoming and supportive environment for women in construction. NCCER’s research identified seven main actions that contractors can begin to implement to improve the recruitment and retention of women in the industry. These recommendations range from parking for fathers on large project sites to accommodation for mothers. The call-to-action guide offers specific, simple and measurable tactics companies can implement to support women in the construction workforce.
The full white paper, In Her Own Words: Improving Project Outcomes, and the call to action guide, In Her Own Words: A Call to Action From the Field, are available for free at https://www.nccer.org /women-in-construction/.
