Historically, the construction industry has been male-dominated, but many talented women now take charge of various roles in this sector. Discover simple techniques to attract and recruit women to work for your business in the construction field.
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1. Include Women Employees in the Hiring Process
Having female representation among the company personnel responsible for recruitment and interviewing is essential. Potential female employees will have an easier time visualizing themselves working for the company. As mentioned, women candidates may feel uneasy if these role models are not considered. Thus, it is usually challenging to understand the culture of women in the organization when you do not have the opportunity to observe and engage with other women who work there.
2. Fight Stereotypes
Having a reputation for being a male-dominated business that requires a lot of hands-on labor and long, arduous hours on the job site may be one of the most significant obstacles women face when entering the industry. Many job seekers need to be made aware that construction jobs encompass a wide range of positions, including onsite work, accounting, marketing, project management, and even virtual design and construction.
Additionally, a large number of recent college graduates are interested in professions that involve technology. Still, only a small percentage of them know how technology is utilized in the construction industry. When it comes to recruiting managers, professionals suggest they need to make efforts to overcome these long-held prejudices.
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3. Promote the Rewards
Compensation is undoubtedly a marketing point. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) reports that the average earnings of women working in the construction industry are 95.5% better than those of men. While it is not yet equal, the difference is significantly smaller than in most industries. Compared to their male counterparts, women in the United States receive an average of 82.9% of their wages.
However, the benefits of working in the construction industry go beyond financial compensation. It presents an opportunity to express one's creative side, have an effect on a community, and leave a legacy. Accordingly, only a small number of occupations provide the opportunity to perform all of that.
4. Improve Safety at Job Sites
Risky environments can be found on construction sites. Several potential dangers are associated with construction work. These include the following: falls from heights, collapses of trenches, electrical shocks, being struck by heavy equipment, collapses of scaffolding or ladders, injuries resulting from repetitive motions, and hearing impairment caused by exposure to loud noises. Women are more likely to be discouraged from pursuing careers in construction due to the dangers that are there, even though men and women are equally at risk for injury.
5. Give Them Paid Maternity Leave
People are often taken aback when they realize that most businesses in the United States do not provide their employees with paid maternity or family leave. According to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2021, just 23% of workers in the private sector had the benefit of paid maternity leave, while 89% had access to unpaid leave. Consequently, providing paid maternity leave efficiently encourages more women to consider working in the construction industry.
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