San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Women emerging as leaders in the skilled trades
The pandemic caused many individuals to reevaluate their careers and job prospects.
The desire for jobs with stability, solid pay and career advancement has increased. The residential construction industry offers these types of opportunities with no shortage of job openings. More women are entering the residential construction industry to embark on a promising career path and achieve a level of personal fulfillment.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Professional Women in Building Council (PWB) celebrated Professional Women in Building Week this past week (September 13-17) to raise awareness and recognize the essential role of women in the construction industry.
Recently, women in all aspects of the home building industry came together for what is believed to be the nation’s first home built by an all-female skilled labor team in Utah. Skilled tradeswomen from the building industry, including women-owned construction companies, engineers, designers, architects and skilled labor teams provided and installed all the materials and labor needed for “The House That SHE Built.”
Proceeds from the sale of the home will go to scholarships for women pursuing construction management or trade programs, women-run charities, and educational events to help teach young girls about opportunities in the home building industry.
Not only are women employed in all aspects of residential construction, but they are also reaping the industry’s compensation benefits. In general, a pay gap exists between men and women across most industries in the United States, where women earn 80 cents for every dollar a man earns. However, the gap is much smaller in the construction trades. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women in the construction industry earn 97 cents for every dollar a man earns.
Climbing the career ladder in any industry can be a challenge without a strong network of support. NAHB’s PWB offers access to professional development resources, forums that hone leadership skills, and national recognition within the largest network of residential construction industry professional. The Greater San Antonio Builders Association has several outstanding award-winning Women Builders and Remodelers. You can find a list of our qualified members at www. sabuilders.com.
A career in the trades brings a sense of satisfaction for all those seeking out opportunities to help fulfill the American Dream. The Greater San Antonio Builders Association is associated with St Philips College and the University of Texas at San Antonio, and we have an Education Foundation that provides scholarships as well. Call the Association at 210-696-3800 and speak to Haley King for more details. To read stories about the diversity of women working in construction visit nahb.org.