How to Encourage Women to Join the Construction Industry

Workforce Development
Published

Answers to your questions from the industry experts at Builders Mutual.

Construction is an industry with the lowest percentage of gender diversity in the workforce. According to an NAHB analysis, women make up 10.9% of the construction workforce. The number of women working in construction is on the rise and it couldn’t be growing at a better time. Hiring female workers could help lessen labor shortages.

Patricia Urtecho and Tara LeDuc, Senior Risk Management Consultants at Builders Mutual, provide answers to pressing questions about how to encourage women to join the construction industry.

Q: I don’t have any women on my team, but I’m interested in making an effort to hire women. What roles do women typically seek?

A: With safety and skills training given to everyone on a jobsite, women can learn to do any role. It is important to point out that physical strength is not a deal-breaking limitation when it comes to employment opportunities in the industry. Male or female, workers should be using appropriate lifting equipment to prevent injury and ease loads.

By nature, women are innovative and detail-oriented. We most often see women filling roles in painting and finishing work, as well as on the final cleanup crew. More recently, we’ve begun to notice women on jobsites as equipment operators driving and controlling construction equipment like bulldozers, forklifts, backhoes, and dump trucks. These are higher-paying roles, and it is great to see this becoming more common.

Q: Before hiring a woman, do I need to make any changes to my jobsite? What does OSHA say about women in construction?

A: All workers have a right to a safe workplace, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides information, training, and assistance for workers and employers. While general contractors should be responsible for enforcing all mandates, we also encourage tradeswomen to familiarize themselves with the OSHA standards that impact their well-being to ensure the standards are being correctly followed on their jobsites.

OSHA also addresses sanitation on the jobsite. One toilet (not including urinals) is required for every 20 workers. We always appreciate when we visit a jobsite and the portable toilets are designated for men and for women to ensure each gender has clean and available facilities. We’ve seen some jobsites that lock the women’s portable toilet and provide keys.

Q: My jobsite is all male, and I have concerns about bringing a woman onto my team. What can I do to shape my company’s culture so that everyone feels comfortable at work?

A: Men are responsible for their own behavior on the jobsite. Women should not be penalized or kept from a career in construction because of men behaving badly. As a GC, it is your job to set clear expectations and consequences for harassment.

Behavior training can set the tone for jobsite culture and show that you are serious about the issue. Both men and women play a role in creating a safe work environment, so invite everyone on your team to these trainings.

Bystander training explains what other team members can do if they witness harassment occurring on the jobsite. Encourage everyone to be your eyes and ears when you aren’t around.

Q: What else can I do to open my jobsite to potential female employees?

A: Your opportunity to open your jobsite to female employees begins during the hiring process. It is important to remember that in a male-dominated industry, just getting hired can be difficult for a woman. Be cognizant that men are more likely to hire fellow men, and ensure that you are giving equal opportunity to female candidates. Your company will benefit from employing a more diverse workforce.

Thank you to our sponsor:

NAHB Builders Mutual Logo

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics | Multifamily

May 08, 2025

Multifamily Developer Confidence Falls in First Quarter

Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing declined year-over-year in the first quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by NAHB. The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 44, down three points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 82, down one point year-over-year.

Sustainability and Green Building | Advocacy

May 07, 2025

Energy Star Transition and Its Effect on NAHB Members

Several recent media reports suggest that the Energy Star program, a proven private-public partnership administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is going through a possible transition period that could lead to its elimination.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

May 06, 2025

Mortgage Activity Levels Off in April as Rates Increase

Mortgage loan applications saw little change in April, as refinancing activity decreased. The Market Composite Index, which measures mortgage loan application volume based on the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) weekly survey, experienced a 0.4% month-over month increase on a seasonally adjusted (SA) basis. However, year-over-year, the index is up 29.3% compared to April 2024.

Economics

May 06, 2025

Prices for New Homes Continue to Drop as Existing Rises

The median price for a new single-family home sold in the first quarter of 2025 was $416,900, a mere $14,600 above the existing home sale price of $402,300, according to U.S. Census Bureau and National Association of Realtors data (not seasonally adjusted – NSA).

Economics

May 05, 2025

Student Housing Construction Investment Rises in the First Quarter of 2025

Private fixed investment in student dormitories increased by 2.3% in the first quarter of 2025, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $4.04 billion. This gain followed a 1.0% increase in the previous quarter. However, private fixed investment in dorms was 2% lower than a year ago, as elevated interest rates place a damper on student housing construction.