TAKING WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

WE CAN BE BETTER FOR THE WORKFORCE

Katie’s journey from a sales background to her current role as a crane operator and technical development officer exemplifies the importance of seizing opportunities, and embracing career transitions. Her experiences within the industry shed light on the challenges faced by women in traditionally male-dominated fields, underscoring the need for greater representation and visibility.

INDUSTRY NEWS & INSIGHTS

CONEXPO-CON/AGG offers exclusive success stories and actionable insights from influential women leaders in the construction industry, providing strategies for business and personal growth, as well as valuable tips for women seeking opportunities within the construction space and for companies looking to expand their workforce’s gender diversity.

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Women In construction

Dr. Sarah Buchner: Real And Practical Applications Of Ai In Construction

Illuminating the transformative power of integrating advanced AI technology, Dr. Sarah Buchner of Trunk Tools details how this cutting-edge approach revolutionizes construction by enhancing efficiency, reducing errors, and tackling the critical challenges of labor shortages and project management inefficiencies. Delving beyond the technology, Dr. Buchner also offers personal reflections on overcoming adversity, her unwavering entrepreneurial spirit, and her path as a female leader in a male-dominated field.

A Mother’s Guide To Successfully Navigating Work And Family In The Construction Industry

Despite not having a degree directly related to her current role, she is a staunch advocate for following one's passion, whether it involves pursuing higher education or not. "You don't have to have a degree to build a great fulfilling life," she emphasizes, stressing the importance of passion over traditional educational paths. She has seen first-hand how the trades can provide women a lifelong career with no higher education debt. “We have kids come out of school who come directly into our company with no experience. We’ve had several of those kids far surpass what I was making in my engineering job, easily.”

Cycle Of Empowerment: How Tonya Hicks Is Building A Path For Women In Construction

Tonya was the first woman to achieve the status of inside journeyman wireman in the IBEW Local 917 in her hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, and the first African American woman to become an IBEW journeyman electrician in the state of Mississippi. Tonya faced "racism, discrimination, sexism, and bias" But she stayed strong and worked hard, always knowing her own self-worth.

Chloe Jones: Construction In The Family

Though more women are getting into construction, the numbers still aren’t high and part of that could be the perception that construction is a “man’s world,” Chloe says. “But we can only change that perspective if more women join. They will see that they won’t be alone in the industry, that women are joining and that there will be support for them.”

Safety First, Stereotypes Last: Monica Rakoczy’s Impact On Construction Inclusiveness

Monica values the role of mentorship in her career, both as a recipient and provider. "I am not a mother (other than to a bunch of fur-babies!), but I’ve picked up the nickname of being the 'Job Mom' over the years. Honestly, it’s the biggest compliment,” she says, underlining the nurturing aspect of her leadership. She views mentorship as a two-way street, where support and guidance flow freely, fostering a culture of growth and mutual respect within the industry.

Women In Construction Week Celebrates Diverse Workforce

Despite making up approximately 50% of the global workforce, women represent only a fraction of the construction workforce. Women constitute about 10% of the construction industry in the United States, with an even smaller percentage in onsite job roles. However, there has been a positive trend, with the number of women in the industry slowly increasing, indicating a gradual shift towards a more balanced and diverse workforce.

Stacey Topmpkins and team at work posing for a picture with hard hats and reflective vests on

Integrating Family Values Into Construction Leadership

Stacey Tompkins not only breaks ground in her professional endeavors but also exemplifies the harmonious blend of family and work life in the construction industry. As President of Tompkins Excavating, Stacey’s journey from food service management to leading a large construction company highlights her skillful intersection of business leader, mentor and mother.

Guy and women in front of skid-steer machine in yellow vest and hard hat

Woman-owned Construction Company Brex Enterprises Setting New Standards For Safety, Customer Satisfaction, Innovation

At the beginning of 2019, Brex Enterprises earned a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). It is a private third-party that certifies women-owned businesses on behalf of U.S. corporations or WBE certification through city, county or state programs.

two women on stage presenting at the community zone at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023

Re-Educating Construction

Ry and Kayti started teaching and coaching adults, leading professional development. People need support. Women need allies – including men – and vice versa. People need to be treated like human beings. Ask people how they are – with genuine curiosity. We all strive for that connection.

Amy Underwood (The Digger Girl): One of the Industry’s Best

Amy shares her remarkable journey within the construction industry, transcending traditional gender stereotypes and championing blue-collar careers for both women and men. Her narrative underscores the vital importance of representation for women in construction, an industry often dominated by men, and she passionately advocates for introducing construction as a viable career choice at an early age, fostering diversity, and challenging outdated perceptions.

A diverse group of women in construction sitting in chairs on a stage

Women in Construction: The Trailblazing Journey Of Jenny Crozier

Jenny envisions a future where the most significant change in the construction industry for women is acceptance and support. She believes that the industry is opening up to women, but mutual respect is key to making it more inclusive. "Blue collar is like family...there is so much opportunity for everyone…there is a job for everyone with every ability level available.

Women and man on a construction site with hard hat and orange vest

Building a Stronger and More Diverse Workforce

Construction is an industry that can be notoriously slow to adopt new concepts, Ringkob said, so proper education is key to more widespread adoption of blind interviewing’s role in ensuring all qualified applicants are seriously considered, which only strengthens the company in the long run because people from different backgrounds bring different strengths.

Women Construction worker with arms crossed and wearing blue hard hat, yellow vest and workers in the back

Women's PPE in the Construction Industry is a Matter of Life and Death.

PPE is designed to protect workers from work place hazards of all kinds – from safety vests, gloves and boots to fall protection harnesses and breathing respirators. However, the majority of PPE has historically been designed with a male physique in mind, often leading to ill-fitting equipment for women. This mismatch can be more than just uncomfortable, it can be unsafe.

A diverse group of women in construction sitting on stage at a conference.

For Women, Every Day

MOXY, an online magazine founded by Monica Dutcher and Natasha Ozybko in 2021, focuses on celebrating and supporting women in infrastructure by providing a platform for consistent representation, learning across industries, utilizing resources for career growth, embracing networking and mentorship, and addressing challenges openly, including mental health considerations. The magazine aims to empower women in trades and connect employers with employees while recognizing both the opportunities and challenges women face in male-dominated sectors.

Lana Edwards with pink custom excavator with her nick name on it

Breaking Ground: A Conversation With Lana Edwards About Empowering Women In Construction

In the world of construction, a sector traditionally dominated by men, Lana Edwards’ journey shows that hard work and persistence can inspire change. Her journey from the fields of agriculture to the construction sites of the United Kingdom is a story of inspiration for women aspiring to join this industry.

Women in construction black and white photo

The History Of Women In Construction

Historically, women were largely excluded from the professional construction industry, perceived as incompatible with the physical demands of the job. Yet, over the years, women have proven their capability, resilience and leadership, and they’ve left their mark on some of the most notable construction projects of the past century.

Inspiring Change in the Industry

Missy Scherber goes on to recount some of the challenges faced by women, single mothers, and primary care takers in construction, including the difficulty balancing their careers with the demands of caring for their children. She highlights the importance of considering alternative work schedules to ensure that the construction industry can tap into a more diverse workforce, and not just burn out its current employees.

Second-Gen Concrete Contractor Solidifies Her Role in The Family Business

Another thing Kurt started doing was attending job site meetings. Doing so helped solidify her role in the company. “One of my biggest keys to success early on was recognizing that even if you don’t know something, you can figure it out,” Kurt says. “By owning up to not knowing, you can start the process of learning.”

Next Generation of the Construction Workforce is Here

Alexandra discusses what it’s like for women in construction, how she tries to let girls know there’s space for normal girls in the industry. She also emphasizes that while it’s important for her to advocate for women in the industry, she also wants to make life better for everybody in construction by encouraging new ways of conducting and organizing business, so people have more freedom.

Advice From Women in Construction

Over the past five years, the influence of women in construction has grown significantly. To make the most of any construction career opportunity, a woman needs to find her voice. That can be difficult for some to do in such a male-dominated industry. Encouragement and advice from role models and mentors can provide an invaluable source of inspiration.

An Apprenticeship Made Me Love Construction

Katie Kelleher wishes she had learned about construction apprenticeships when she was still a teenager, though she can’t complain about the way her career as a London-based crane operator has turned out. In fact, her roundabout journey to a career in construction is what makes her appreciate it all the more. It’s also what drives her to spend so much time promoting the virtues of apprenticeships and women working in construction.

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