Inspiring Women in the Construction Industry

For a long time, the construction industry has been perceived as a field dominated by men. Women still make up a minor portion of the construction workforce in 2023—just 10.9% of all construction workers in the US are women. Gender discrepancies continue exist in the business, despite a slight increase in the number of female representation since 2011.

The Gender Gap’s Current Situation

Gender disparities in construction are glaringly evident. Women account for 47% of all employed people, although they only make up 1.25% of the workforce. There are a number of reasons for this stark gender disparity, such as persistent societal misgivings about women’s participation in construction, insufficient training possibilities, and unconscious gender bias.

However, women are paving the way for advancement in the construction industry. The proportion of women working in the construction business has risen by 2% from 2011, when it was 8.9%. The Bureau of Labour Statistics projects that the construction industry will grow by 4% between 2021 and 2031, creating about 168,500 new employment yearly. Companies are actively looking to hire more women to take advantage of their distinct skill sets in light of this tremendous increase.

Career Possibilities for Women 

There is a chance for women to work in any capacity related to construction. Despite this, they are now underrepresented in executive and trade roles. 2020 saw a preponderance of women in construction working in sales and office roles, with the breakdown being as follows:

1. Office Responsibilities: 87%
2. Trades: 2.5%
3. Executive Roles on Staff: 14%
4. Executive Positions: 7%

Despite these figures, numerous organizations are dedicated to advancing women into leadership roles, and women already working in the field serve as inspiring role models for younger generations.

Trailblazing Women in Construction

A lot of women are breaking barriers and excelling in the construction industry. Recent years have witnessed the promotion of female executives and construction managers, exemplified by individuals such as:

Kim Roy

2017 saw Kim Roy take over as CEO of HITT Contracting following 18 years of service. In recognition of her accomplishments, the construction industry awarded her the “Top 40 Under 40” title from Building Design + Construction Magazine and the “Top Women in Real Estate — Innovation Award” from the Commercial Observer in 2019.

Meirav Oren

Versatile is a construction technology startup that Meirav Oren co-founded in 2016. CraneView, an AI-powered tool that increases crane operator safety and operational efficiency, was introduced by Versatile during her time as CEO, and the company raised over $100 million in funding.

Kylie Rampa

Kylie Rampa is the CEO of QIC, where she is in charge of the day-to-day and strategic management of the development investment firm. Rampa is regarded as a leader in the field due to her wealth of real estate and development experience.