As the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) wraps up its Professional Women in Building Week, the association has good news to share: Women now represent 10.8% of the construction workforce. While that’s a nominal increase from 2002, when they made up 9.3%, the latest figures represent a rebound, officials pointed out. According to NAHB’s reporting, the Great Recession led to a steep decline in the number of women in construction, decreasing by nearly 30% to 807,000 in 2010. In 2023, 1.3 million women were employed in the construction industry.
For its reporting, NAHB used labor force statistics from the Current Population Survey (CPS), sponsored jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data shows that most women in the construction industry are em
ployed in occupations such as office and administrative support, management, business and financial operations. Women made up 66% of workers in sales and office occupations in 2023, including 406,000 women in office and administrative support, and 31,000 in sales and related occupations. Another 511,000 women worked in management and professional and related occupations.
Other areas show the need for serious improvement. While construction and maintenance occupations account for the largest number of employees in construction—and present the greatest needs—women make up just 4% of those occupations.
Additional steps should be taken to attract female workers into these high-demand occupations, NAHB officials suggest.
Meanwhile, a separate study, conducted by power tool brand DeWalt and WorldSkills International, an international skills competition, indicates that social media might be the best avenue for luring in workers—especially younger generations who face stigmas.
The survey polled young professionals across 69 countries and regions who are competing at WorldSkills Competition 2024, asking them about their motivations, inspirations and passions. According to the survey’s findings, young trade professionals say their passion for trades was “significantly influenced” by social media, despite encountering social stigmas surrounding their career choices.
Nearly half (44%) of survey respondents acknowledged social media played a role in inspiring their career choices and more than half of that cohort say they were inspired by a particular influencer or brand.
The survey also reveals that young trades professionals still face significant barriers, despite their enthusiasm for the field.
Nearly half (42%) cited a “persistent social stigma” surrounding trades professions as a major obstacle, the survey shows. Another issue includes a lack of parental support, with more than a third (35%) citing this issue.
In addition to being influenced by social media, survey respondents also showed an interest in using social platforms to help others overcome similar issues. Three-quarters (75%) say they’re interested in using online platforms to raise awareness and visibility for skilled careers.
So far as what drew them to trades to begin with, nearly 70% of respondents said their primary motivation was a desire to work with their hands. Forty-four percent cited a desire to “make a positive impact on the global community.”
NAHB’s Professional Women in Building Week was sponsored by Andersen Windows and Doors.
“We are proud to sponsor NAHB’s Professional Women in Building Week, highlighting the invaluable contributions of women in the residential construction industry,” says Shomaila Shoukat, Andersen’s customer marketing manager, builder, developer. “By supporting initiatives that promote, train and advance women, we are investing in the future of our industry, ensuring that it continues to thrive with the talent and leadership of women.”