As the construction workforce evolves, and employees and employers push for equality among workers, women are presented with more opportunities than ever before. While women currently make up nearly 50% of the overall workforce, the percentage of women working in skilled trades is holding steady at around 6%. You’re probably asking yourself why. Could it be that stereotypes surround many skilled trades? Maybe so, but let’s look at a few reasons why a career in the trades is a great choice for women.
- There is always a demand for tradespeople, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the construction industry will see an employment growth of at least 12% by 2026.
- Skilled-trade employees make a higher-than-average income, which enables women to adequately provide for their families. Experienced tradeswomen can make up to six-figure salaries, and the majority of these women do not have student debt to repay.
- Construction remains one of the most male-dominated industries in the world, but organizations are beginning to team up and offer grants for females who are interested in pursuing employment in the trades.
Many organizations — including KLE Construction — support women in trades. KLE is a woman-owned company, and let’s face it, women love to support one another. At KLE, we feel it’s important that men and women alike pursue their career goals and do not give up.
A vast number of career opportunities are available at KLE in skilled trades including:
- Engineers
- Estimators
- Carpenters
- HR
- Safety
- Equipment Operators
- Pipe Layers
- Survey Technicians
- Project Managers
- Accounts Payable
KLE currently employs women in nearly every one of these fields, and each of them learned while on the job.
Taylor Garofano came to us with a farming background, and is now an equipment operator and assistant foreman. In the beginning, some of Taylor’s male peers doubted her abilities because of her gender, but her motivation and determination enabled her to quickly prove she could complete equivalent tasks. Taylor’s advice to women interested in trades is, “Keep a positive attitude, believe in yourself, and stay humble. If you have a question, ask it.”
Gayle Thom had several years of banking experience and payroll management, before switching gears and moving into a career in the civil construction industry. Gayle is now a controller for KLE. Her advice to women is, “Every job faces challenges of some sort. As a woman, don’t forget your worth!”
We encourage you to pursue a career in the trades. If you set goals for yourself, stay strong, and remain receptive to change, it’ll go a long way in ensuring you have a successful career.