Job Opportunities for Women in Construction Are On the Rise
According to a new survey, there are now more opportunities for women working in construction and equality in the workplace is increasing.
Women have been in the minority when it comes to the percentage of females taking positions in the construction industry, but according to a new survey the opportunities are growing. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Safe Site Check In announced the results of a workforce study that included more than 700 women in the construction industry.
According to the findings, job opportunities for women in construction are on the rise. When provided with a multiple choice question, “The opportunities for women in construction are increasing, decreasing, or about the same,” 71 percent of respondents agree the opportunities are increasing. Another 28 percent believe they are about the same while only one percent said that they are decreasing.
Also included in the survey was a question about equality in the workplace. Respondents were asked to rate their employer on “treating men and women equally.” Over half of the women surveyed ranked their employer at 80 or above. However, the NAWIC said that the survey results indicate room for improvement based on the following responses:
- 24 percent ranked their employer at 100
- 22 percent ranked their employer at 90 or above
- 13 percent ranked their employer between 80-89
- 11 percent ranked their employer between 79-70
- 6 percent ranked their employer between 69-60
- 24 percent ranked their employer below 60
The survey was held in celebration of Women in Construction Week (March 7 - 13). Of the 718 women who responded, job titles and roles included: C-Suite executives (CEO, COO, CFO), vice presidents, business owners, attorneys, accounting, administration, appraisers, architects, draftsman, electricians, engineers, estimators, HVAC technicians, inspectors, interior design, HR, pipefitters, plumbers, project managers, roofers, safety officers, sales, schedulers, welders, and more.
According to the press release, 49 percent of the respondents have been working in the construction industry for more than 16 years. Additionally, 57 percent work in the office, 40 percent work both in the office and the field, and 3 percent work solely in the field.