Though record high numbers of women have been taking on construction jobs, they are still generally underrepresented in the field. As data continues to highlight painful shortages of skilled laborers, the imperative for diversification remains strong. Fortunately, there is good news: women want the same things everyone else wants.
Flexibility, Technology and Career Paths
Solid health insurance, including coverage for families, flexible scheduling and opportunities for professional development are key benefits all workers want, and companies that are able to respond are more likely to attract and retain a solid diversity of workers, including women. With an analysis of BLS data by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) showing that “construction employees are quitting at twice the rate of layoffs or discharge,” workplaces that are better for women–and everyone–have become essential to the success of businesses:
The number of women in construction in the U.S. hit the 1 million mark in 2022, a first since data started being collected in 1964. Although this milestone represents progress, the percentage of women working in construction still remains low….The data behind why women in construction leave needs improvement, but a 2022 Construction Talent Retention Survey suggests that the main retention drivers for women in construction are career development, work-life balance and a sense of belonging…. By focusing on these, construction can improve its ability to not only keep women in the workforce, but intentionally make changes to advance their careers. From implementing technology to navigating succession planning, there are clear strategies that will benefit the entire industry and help reduce the labor shortage.
Employers will find it useful to remember that it is often relatively small things, done consistently that drive worker decisions about whether or not a company is for them. In construction, an emphasis on workplace safety is one important way to foster a culture of belonging. Toward that end, make sure every employee has the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including women:
From the first day on the job, inclusive PPE can be a powerful tool for recruiting and retaining women entering the industry. During an interview with Procore, Chief Risk Officer at Insurate Abby Ferri, said, “If an employer asks their new employee for their PPE sizing and preference on day one, they’re demonstrating the value of their employee’s input. On the flip side, if a new employee is handed a ‘one size fits all’ PPE with no other option, it may feel like they’re being treated as just a number.”An ill-fitting safety vest can also negatively impact women’s confidence on the jobsite and their sense of presence and authority. Providing equal treatment to women, including access to proper fitting PPE, is critical for retaining talent.
Schedules that allow working parents, often women, the flexibility to get to a school event or medical appointment are also key to attracting and retaining a diversity of employees. Professional development and advancement mean a lot to employees too. Fortunately, the current focus on better leveraging technology throughout the construction industry offers exciting new possibilities for workers, creating “opportunities for job roles to shift and expand, which may create new career paths for women. Technology can enable remote work, provide opportunities for flexible working hours and create more work-life balance to those in both the office and the field.”
Win The Work
Recruiting, training and retaining a diversity of workers, including women, requires the commitment of time and resources––and that means you’ve got to be confident about winning plenty of work. Gain time, efficiency, and a head start with a surety line of credit in writing and easy, speedy surety bonds from Colonial Surety. Once qualified for The Partnership Account®, you’ll use our power of attorney to issue your own bid bonds, in minutes. Order performance and payment bonds with speed and ease too. Run your business more efficiently and competitively than ever as you leverage your:
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