The conversation surrounding providing women more prominence in STEM careers has been a hot topic for some time. In fact, we published a report earlier this year discussing women’s experiences in the industry and why now is the perfect time for others to enter the space.

A similar, yet less buzzed-about, opportunity exists for women in the trades – specifically construction. Due to the dire talent shortage the industry is facing combined with the cultural focus on diversity and inclusion, the door is wide open for talented women interested in construction.

Existing Roadblocks

It is impossible to talk about the opportunities for women in the trades without acknowledging the challenges present. Construction is clearly one of the most male-dominated industries out there. As such, women have the potential to face unconscious bias and an otherwise difficult working environment. It’s also more difficult for women to find female mentors to help them navigate this space.

This perception many have of the industry is not always accurate, though. There are many construction businesses and leaders who encourage women, value them, and invest in their career trajectory. As a matter of fact, 7.5% of construction managers are women, and this number is projected to grow. So even though many may find this industry intimidating, its reputation is often misleading.

The perception of construction is slowly catching up with reality, but it will take more women in these roles to make a significant difference.

Opportunities Abound

There are so many options for women in construction. Last year, about 33% of construction companies promoted women to senior roles. Even though women make up about 10% of the industry right now, that number is expected to skyrocket to 25% next year.

Many women are even starting their own construction firms. This is not entirely surprising, since nearly a third of women in construction are in management. From 2007 until 2019, there was a 94% growth in female construction firm owners. These businesses are successful, too – 9% of them have revenues over $500,000.

If you’re looking for a new opportunity, but are not interested in working on construction sites, there are still plenty of opportunities out there. Right now, only 13.3% of women in construction are tradespeople. The rest are in office roles.

The Connection to STEM

According to our team of expert recruiters, many hiring managers are interested in meeting with women who have STEM experience. Whether they are mathematicians, engineers, or technicians, these skills are especially valuable to firms right now. As technology becomes more integral to construction and the skills gap widens, women with STEM experience or education will find themselves highly valuable to this industry.

Many forward-thinking companies value diversity and inclusion and are eager to meet with people of all backgrounds and experiences. Therefore, we’d encourage any women with interest, skill, and knowledge to look into their options within the construction industry.

If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out to our expert recruitment consultants today. You can also submit a resume or browse our job listings.