Education, Licensing, and Networking Resources for Women in Construction

A lot of research goes into choosing a career path, especially if you’re deciding between a trade school or a four-year degree. Being a woman in the construction field can make matters even harder. Working in a male-dominated field, it can be difficult to find opportunities for growth and networking. The following guide offers women in construction a one-stop-shop for education, networking, and contractor licensing.

What Are the Skilled Trades?

The skilled trades refer to a group of career paths that require a special skill, knowledge, or ability. These career paths require specialized training in the form of work experience, on-the-job training, or apprenticeships. Many require vocational school. Only some require a bachelor’s degree. Skilled trades are typically thought of as an alternative to jobs that require a four-year college degree because of this.

There are four main categories to the skilled trades:

• Construction trades;
• Industrial trades;
• Automotive trades;
• Service trades.

The construction trades are what will be explored in this article.

Skilled Trade Labor Shortage

Across the U.S. jobs are going unfilled. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that as of November 2020, the number of job openings sits at 6.4 million, while the number of people applying is only 5.9 million. This trend is especially noticeable in the skilled trades.

Electricians demonstrate one example of the shortage as it is specific to the trades. According to the National Electrical Contractors Association, “7,000 electricians join the field each year, but 10,000 retire.”

The BLS projects that there will be 7.5 million jobs in the construction industry by 2026, reaching its highest peak since 2006. The need for construction workers has to do with a world that is rapidly urbanizing coupled with a lack of accommodating infrastructure.

Representation of Women Contractors

The construction industry is heavily male-dominated. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women make up only 9% of the construction industry. The industry’s overwhelming lack of women has led to discrimination and, at times, exclusion. Women working in corrections, for instance, believed that they were passed over for promotions and other job opportunities for the following reasons: a perceived notion that men could better perform the job and an environment filled with sexual harassment.  

Gender Pay Gap

In 2017, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the “female-to-male earnings ratio was 0.805, not statistically different from the 2016 ratio.” In other words, women make only 80% of what men make. Moreover, the same report found that “real median earnings of all male workers increased 3.0 percent from 2016 to $44,408, while real median earnings for their female counterparts ($31,610) saw no statistically significant change between 2016 and 2017.”

While that pay gap still exists in the construction fields, it is lower. Research from the National Association of Women in Construction found that women earn on average 99.1% of what their male counterparts make in the industry.

Construction Jobs and Career Paths for Women in the Skilled Trades

There are various career paths women can take within the construction industry. While the typical titles that may come to mind are “electrician” and “plumber,” others such as painters and truck drivers are also included in this category of skilled trades.

Below are examples of construction jobs and their salaries:

• Electrician: An electrician is a tradesperson that installs, maintains, and repairs the electrical wiring found in buildings, transmission lines, computer network systems, and other similar apparatus. Electrical licensing requirements differ across the states. As of 2020, the average salary of an electrician in the U.S. was $23.95 per hour.
• Plumber: A plumber is a tradesperson that installs, maintains, and repairs pipes that supply water and gas to homes and buildings, as well as installs and repairs appliances such as sinks and toilets. Plumbing licensing requirements differ across the states. As of 2020, the average salary of a plumber in the U.S. was $24.19 per hour.
• Welder: A welder is a tradesperson that fabricates and puts together metal parts, as well as fills and repairs holes on metal parts, both of which require the use of intense heat and gas. Certification is largely performed by the American Welding Society (AWS). Some states feature requirements that supersede the AWS. As of 2020, the average salary of a welder in the U.S. was $17.90 per hour.
• Truck driver: Truck drivers earn a living driving trucks that carry various kinds of goods and materials. They are essential to an industrialized society. As of 2020, the average salary of a truck driver in the U.S. was $22.25 per hour.
• Commercial painters: Commercial painters apply interior and exterior painting to commercial buildings. They also apply wallpapers, special finishing, and decorating work. As of 2020, the average salary of a painter in the U.S. was $16.46 per hour.
• Mechanics: Mechanics inspect and repair vehicles and other machinery and equipment. As of 2020, the average salary of a mechanic in the U.S. was $17.99 per hour.
• Carpenters: A carpenter is a tradesperson who works with wood for a living. They build, maintain, and repair doors and windows, furniture, kitchens, and roofs, among other wooden features. As of 2020, the average salary of a carpenter in the U.S. was $20.75 per hour.
• Landscapers: A landscaper is a tradesperson who performs groundskeeping and building maintenance on parks, gardens, property buildings, and other outdoor facilities. As of 2020, the average salary of a landscaper in the U.S. was $13.9 per hour.
• Brickmasons: A brickmason is a tradesperson who lays brick to construct or repair buildings. As of 2020, the average salary of a brickmason in the U.S. was $23.92 per hour.
• HVAC service technician: An HVAC service technician installs, maintains, and repairs air conditioners, heating apparatus, and other air quality systems. As of 2020, the average salary of an HVAC service technician in the U.S. was $21.91 per hour.

Apprenticeship or Trade School: Getting Started in the Construction Field

Starting a career in the construction field typically begins with either an apprenticeship or with school. Each of these options is geared towards teaching students a set of skills applicable to their trade. However, different options are more ideal for different students. Continue reading below to see which may be best for you.

Technical school pros and cons:

• More education: In technical school, you’ll learn more than just the set of skills necessary for the job. You’ll learn the science behind the trade as well as take a few general education requirements. Technical school offers a more well-rounded start to a profession.
• Career service specialists: Going to technical school also means receiving all the benefits associated with the institution you choose. Career service specialists are attached to any program and they can help with job finding, resume building, networking, and other relevant matters.
• Specialized programs: Certain technical schools hold partnerships with big companies, allowing their students opportunities they may not find without the school.  
• Flexible schedules: Technical school allows you to choose your schedule; there are both full- and part-time options. If you need to make money or have children, this flexibility may be what you need.
• Larger financial commitment: The downside associated with choosing a technical school is tuition. Unless you receive a full scholarship, you will be paying for your time spent learning the trade.

Apprenticeship pros and cons:

• Hands-on learning: Apprenticeships give you hands-on learning right off the bat. This real-world application is ideal for experiential learners.
• Get paid to learn: Perhaps the biggest pro associated with apprenticeships is that you get paid to learn. Unlike technical school, your time spent learning and working pay off immediately — in the form of a paycheck.
• Riskier: A con associated with apprenticeships is that your experience relies heavily on one person or a small group of people. Someone good at their trade may not be a good teacher. Apprenticeships are therefore a riskier endeavor.
• Competition: Another con is competition, as spots are limited. An aspiring tradesperson will have to put in a lot of work to sell themselves as a potential mentee.

Resources for Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship requirements differ across the states. Pursuing an electrical license in Alabama, for instance, requires four to five years of hands-on experience as an apprentice, in addition to 576 hours of classroom instruction. In Florida, on the other hand, aspiring electricians have the choice to attend a trade school or partake in an apprenticeship. Trade school is typically the more popular route, as some counties require a certain amount of classroom instruction to become licensed.

Below are resources on apprenticeships:

• The PHCC Educational Foundation: The PHCC Educational Foundation offers resources for plumbing and HVAC apprenticeships through information on courses, assessment tests, and on finding textbooks.
• Vermont Tech: Vermont Tech features several resources for electrical and plumbing apprenticeships.  
• Electrical resource: Skills Commons offers electrical and lineman apprenticeship resources, such as in the form of instructional materials.
• Commercial painting resource: Zippia offers a guide on how to become a painter apprentice.
• Welding resource: Skills Commons also offers a resource for welding apprenticeships. These include career, federal, and partnership resources.
• Apprenticeship.gov: Apprenticeship.gov features several resources for a variety of construction fields, such as diesel mechanics, truck drivers, and avionics technicians.

Resources for Education

Vocational and technical schools, also referred to as vo-techs, teach the theory behind the trade, in addition to the skills required for the actual work. People who enjoy more structure, want a well-rounded education, or are looking for a part-time opportunity may prefer school over an apprenticeship.

Below are a few resources on education:

• Association for Career and Technical Education: The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) offers education leadership to individuals enrolled in vo-tech programs, provides volunteering opportunities, and features professional development resources.
• Lincoln Tech blog: The Lincoln Tech blog has a resource on apprentices vs. trade schools to help aid in the decision between the two.

Most educational resources are state-specific. To find information pertinent to your locale, simply google trade schools in your state.

Resources for Scholarships

Scholarships offer many benefits to students. Not only do they provide financial support, but they also give recognition, distinguish your achievements, and allow your resume to stand apart from others. Most notably, scholarships reduce the amount of financial aid needed to be taken out.

Scholarship resources for women in the trades include:

• WANTO Grant Program: The WANTO (Women in Apprenticeship & Nontraditional Occupations) Grant Program makes it easier for women to get involved in the trades. In 2020, the grant program awarded $4,100,000 to increasing women’s employment in the industry.  
• Association of Women Contractors: The Association of Women Contractors (AWC) offers financial support to women in the construction trades. The AWS also seeks to support current and future women business owners in the industry.
• Rankin Foundation: The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to women 35 and older to break free from generational poverty.
• Tulsa Welding School: The Tulsa Welding School provides a resource on three scholarships for women in welding.

Skilled Trade Certification and Contractor Licensing 

After graduating from a trade school or completing an apprenticeship, tradespersons generally become certified (requirements differ across the states and trades). Tradespersons, or their companies, typically also must purchase bond insurance. This includes liability insurance and workers’ compensation. A contractor bond protects workers and their projects in case of unintentional damage to property or abrupt cancellation of a project.

It’s always important to keep in mind where your state regulates licenses. The licensing process differs between states, as well as between trades. Kansas electrical licenses, for instance, are regulated at the county and city level, while Massachusetts’ are regulated at the state level. Missouri, on the other hand, allows licenses to be regulated at the state, county, or city level.

General contractors in Texas are not required to obtain a license. California requires a license for bidding on projects of $500 or more, while Maryland may or may not require a license depending on the project. Aspiring tradespersons as such must be sure to look up the license requirements specific to their locale.

Resources for Female-Owned Firms and Companies

Below are resources for female-owned firms and companies:

• WCOE: WCOE, short for Women Construction Owners and Executives, is an organization dedicated solely to supporting women-owned construction companies.
• Women-owned businesses guide: The U.S. Small Business Administration features a guide for supporting women-owned businesses. The guide helps owners find funding, receive counseling, understand federal contracts, and access credit and capital.
• NAWBO: The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) supports the interests of women entrepreneurs in all industries.  

Resources for Professional Associations and Conferences

Below are resources for professional associations and conferences for women in construction:

• NAWIC: The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) originated in Fort Worth, Texas, and expanded to include a national focus. NAWIC has 115 chapters that offer its members educational, networking, and professional development resources.
• NABWIC: The National Association of Black Women in Construction (NABWIC) seeks to train the next generation of Black women and minorities in the industry in regards to education, social, and professional connections.
• PWC: Professional Women in Construction (PWC) is a society that supports, advances, and connects women in the construction fields.
• The Coalition of Labor Union Women: The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) is a national organization for union women. It is the only coalition of its kind.
• The Minority and Female Skilled Trades Worker of America: The Minority and Female Skilled Trades Worker of America are, as its name suggests, catered for women and minorities in the skilled trades. The organization offers services such as resume building, conferences, job fairs attendance, and job site visits.
• Groundbreaking Women in Construction: Groundbreaking Women in Construction (GWIB) is a conference designed for women in construction.
• Women in Construction Conference: As the name suggests, this is a conference for women in construction.
• NAHB Professional Women in Building Council: The National Association of Home Builders features the Professional Women in Building Council. The council offers resources to any women involved in the industry.

Blogs and Articles for Women in Construction

Below are blogs, articles, and other similar resources for women in construction:

• Women in Construction Summit: The annual Women in Construction Summit also features a blog. The blog contains tons of relevant news and information for women in the industry.
• Construction Business Owner: The Construction Business Owner has several articles detailing life in the construction industry, some of which are women-specific. One such article is titled “What’s It’s like for a Woman in Construction.”
• New York Times Article: The New York Times features an article about 7 women transforming the construction industry.
• The Washington Post Article: The Washington Post has one article introducing the new wave of women builders.

Resources for Girls and Young Women in the Construction Field

Below are resources for girls and young women looking to get into the construction field:

• Girls Build: Girls Build introduces girls 8-14 to the basics of trades such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, roofing, and painting.  
• SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA seeks to empower its members to become skilled workers in America. The organization provides personal, workplace, and technical skills to its members.
• Tradeswomen Inc: Tradeswomen Inc. offers resources for women in the construction field looking for job opportunities, as well as for employers looking to hire.
• Women in Trucking: The Women in Trucking Association is a nonprofit organization that supports women in the trucking industry, promotes their work and accomplishments, and provides them with resources.

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