Constructing Change: Shaping a More Inclusive Construction Industry for Women

Let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into the story of women in construction. Imagine this: It’s a sunny morning, and as the city wakes up, so does the buzz of construction sites coming to life. Amidst the sound of hammering and drilling, there’s a force quietly reshaping the industry’s landscape. Yes, we’re talking about the women who don hard hats and lace-up steel-toed boots, ready to leave their mark on the skyline. This year, we’re celebrating the 26th anniversary of Women in Construction Week with the theme “Keys to the Future.”

But, what’s the goal of Women in Construction Week? This week is about inspiring change in the industry through the encouragement of women to pursue careers in construction and the promotion of gender equality in all related fields. It’s a call for inclusivity, an opportunity to address the bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination that women in this field face. Together, let’s work towards redefining what it means to work in construction.

The Current State of the Construction Industry

Now, let’s zoom in a bit. Picture Canada’s construction scene as a bustling metropolis of opportunity, with over 300,000 new jobs on the horizon. But here’s the twist: A looming shortage of about 80,000 workers by 2030. Among this landscape, women, who currently represent a slice of the workforce pie at 13%, with an even slimmer 5% in trades roles, are the secret ingredient to bridging this gap. Despite a 4.5% growth in employment for women in construction over the past year, the stage is set for a dramatic increase in female participation.

However, women in construction face challenges. Imagine walking onto a site and being met not just with the physical demands of the job but also with obstacles that are, frankly, outdated – like PPE that doesn’t fit, causing safety risks, the absence of separate and adequate sanitary facilities, and an atmosphere thick with other harmful stereotypes and biases. These gender biases include, but aren’t limited to, stereotyping about skills or capabilities and maternity bias, or the bias that women are less competent and committed to their jobs because of the demands of being a mother. Not to mention that women working in construction are subjected to higher levels of sexual harassment in the workplace. It’s 2024, folks – it’s time for a shift.

Shifting the Narrative

As our narrative unfolds, we find that the individual experience of a woman in the construction industry will be influenced by multiple factors, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and physical ability. Despite each person’s uniqueness, there are common elements in the workplace that enhance everyone’s work experience. Employers should therefore prioritize these factors.

Significant progress is needed to address ongoing conscious and unconscious gender biases in the industry. These biases can influence harmful workplace behaviors like bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination. A lack of appropriate training to address these biases and their impacts perpetuates workplaces where female employees will continue to experience challenges at a significantly higher rate than their male counterparts.

Empowering Women in Construction

Essentially, improving the experiences and wellbeing of women at work in the construction industry includes offering training that equips women with the right skills to excel in their roles. This training should focus on interpersonal and communication skills that foster a sense of confidence to allow women to step up for themselves while at work. These skills help foster stronger relationships and teamwork among employees from different genders and backgrounds. But it’s important to remember that this isn’t just about women improving their skillsets.

Leaders play a critical role in nurturing a culture of respect, equality, and inclusivity in the workplace. However, training efforts should include everyone within the company. This kind of training creates a culture of individuals who feel comfortable acting as upstanders as opposed to bystanders. A bystander is a person, or group of people, who witness an incident of bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination and do not take action to intervene. An upstander, on the other hand, steps in when they are a witness of harmful workplace behaviors such as microaggressions or maltreatment. By implementing training of this nature, we’re empowering employees and building an inclusive workplace in the construction industry and skilled trades.

Encouraging Participation = Increased Profitability 

Encouraging more women to join construction is, yes, a strategic move. The long-term effects are significant for everyone! Diverse teams don’t just break stereotypes; they build better, think smarter, and innovate faster. Diversity in the workplace is associated with better mental health and wellbeing among employees, which, as we know, has positive ripple effects for home and civic life.

Another important factor in encouraging more women to participate in the construction industry is supporting women already in the industry. In addition to increased training efforts to combat harmful workplace behaviors, mentorship programs, employee resource groups, employee programs, and professional organizations that provide professional development and resources for women in construction can be key sources of support.

Blueprints for Growth

Boosting women’s roles in construction doesn’t just advance fairness; it’s a smart business move, too. Data points to a clear payoff: Companies with at least 30% female leaders in the executive ranks often see their performance soar above the rest. They’re not just winning in the diversity stakes—they’re also scoring a profitability boost, with many reporting earnings that are a hefty 25% above the norm.

To experience these benefits, employers can act by directly addressing biases and their harmful consequences, bolstering safety, and weaving inclusivity into the fabric of construction culture. Upskilling is a key step toward cultivating an environment where women in construction are not just participants, but drivers of innovation and growth. This is how we underscore the pivotal role of diversity: as a strategic move that steers the construction industry toward a prosperous and equitable horizon.

Interested in learning how we can help you build a more inclusive and respectful workplace? Connect with us today to learn more. Our solutions have helped organizations like Graham Construction, Apache Industrial, LNGC and First Onsite, to mention just a few.