The Triumphs and Challenges of Construction

Promoting women in construction and engineering is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic imperative. One in ten women represent the current environment for the construction industry. As we prepare the future workforce for the challenges that we are facing where skilled professionals are scarce and continuously declining, it is paramount to create a cultural shift in diversifying our assets. This session will increase attention to equity issues for women in the AEC industry, create an opportunity for leaders to apply successful outreach and retention strategies, and influence transformation to the job site culture. We will highlight the boots on the ground journeys of women on a jobsite from inspectors to engineers, emphasize the daily challenges they encounter, and their lessons learned along the way. In addition, we will examine the experiences of going through an alternative career path such as women in non-traditional employment rolls and the inequities the continue to face despite the substantial progress that has been made to eliminate barriers to entry. 
We need an industry that continually supports women in engineering and construction. It requires a collective effort beyond individual actions. By expanding the cultural shift from the office environment onto the job site and implementing targeted outreach programs, mentorship and leadership development, we can create a more diverse, resilient, and innovative industry that benefits everyone.