Women making big strides in construction industry

From the days of Rosie the Riveter to today’s image of powerful female leadership on construction sites, things have changed for the better for women looking to break into the building industry. And each year in early March, Women in Construction Week is celebrated, reminding us of the critical role women play in the construction industry in Washington and beyond. At AGC of Washington, we are proud of the women who are part of our association and who serve in leadership roles at construction firms throughout our region.

We also stand in appreciation of organizations such as the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), which promotes career development, networking and mentorship among women in our industry. NAWIC has been in operation for more than half a century, and its mission has never wavered since 16 women founded the group in 1953.

Here’s a fun fact: women represent one out of every 10 construction workers in the U.S.? Or that approaching 1 million women are employed in our sector of the economy? Those are just two compelling statistics shared by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics on their websites. We are in full support of increasing those totals and encouraging more women to get into the industry.

And a report commissioned for City of Seattle Purchasing and Contracting Services noted that leaders continue to emphasize opportunities to “increase construction employment and optimize career ladders to improve access to these jobs” for women and other people who have traditionally faced disadvantages.

All year long, we’re grateful for the women who are part of the Washington construction industry. We look forward to working together to create more employment opportunities as the next generation of professionals enters the workforce.