California Launches Women in Construction Apprenticeship Campaign
State labor officials marked Women in Construction Week with a new public awareness campaign and toolkit designed to increase women’s participation in the building trades and expand equitable apprenticeship pathways.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Mar 03, 2026
California labor officials on Monday marked Women in Construction Week by launching a new public awareness campaign to expand career opportunities for women in the building trades.
The California Department of Industrial Relations and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards unveiled the “Women in Construction” campaign, which includes a public toolkit and a series of personal stories highlighting apprenticeship pathways, mentorship and long-term career growth in construction.
State officials said the campaign messaging was shaped by feedback from apprentices, journey-level workers, employers and members of the department’s Women in Construction Committee. The effort emphasizes hands-on skill development, industry partnerships, and the confidence gained through apprenticeship programs.
The campaign will roll out across multiple platforms, including outdoor advertising, digital placements and social media.
Women represent more than half of the U.S. workforce but account for less than 4% of workers in construction trades jobs nationwide, according to the department. California officials say increasing women’s participation is critical as the state works to meet rising demand for housing, infrastructure and climate-resilient development.
To address workforce gaps and improve equity, California has invested more than $50 million in Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) grants. The funding is intended to expand access to building trades careers for women and other underrepresented communities.
Expanding equitable apprenticeship opportunities is part of a broader Five-Point Action Plan developed by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
Women in Construction Week, organized annually by the National Association of Women in Construction, is observed during the first full week of March and recognizes the contributions of women in the industry while promoting career opportunities.
Visit DAS’ Women in Construction webpage to learn more about opportunities for women and non-binary individuals in the building trades.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.