The construction industry has long been perceived as a male-dominated domain, but that’s changing. Thanks to the wealth of opportunities in the industry, more women are finding lasting and rewarding careers in construction.
Juli Hunt is one of them.
Hunt is president of construction at The Calida Group, a multifamily real estate and investment firm headquartered in Las Vegas with additional offices in Denver, Seattle and Los Angeles. Her professional experience in construction spans decades and has afforded her a breadth of experience. When she started her career in the 80s, female colleagues were few and far between. These days, women in her field are more common.
Female representation in the U.S. construction sector increased by an estimated 32 percent from 2016 to 2021, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. During that same 5-year period, the number of women holding management roles jumped doubled, from 49,400 to nearly 99,400.
“The construction industry is so dependent on timing, communication and detail,” Hunt says. “The level of detail that comes with a lot of female employees has really been a driving force in facilitating their inclusion.”
Hunt estimates 20 percent of the resumes she receives are from women applying for construction roles – an encouraging sign of change. “The wall has been removed,” she adds.
One reason more women are pursuing construction jobs is because of the industry’s varying roles, as Hunt knows from experience. She started in construction accounting, and rose through the ranks from lead superintendent to project manager.
“It’s nice to have that number of options,” Hunt says. “You can find where you fit in.”
But with men representing nearly 83% of the industry, there’s plenty of room for more diversity, particularly in boardrooms. According to World Economic Forum, infrastructure (construction) has the lowest representation of women in leadership roles.
Increasing female representation is to a company’s advantage. The WEC reports a correlation between businesses with more women executives and higher profits.
Here are five ways the construction industry can attract more female jobseekers.
1. Create a mentoring program: Hunt credits her success in the industry to her mentors. Unfortunately, mentoring is something of a lost art these days. “That whole mentorship process has sort of fallen by the wayside,” she says. That’s why it’s vital that companies be intentional about pairing new hires with more experienced pros, especially for women who are vastly underrepresented in the field.
2. Create a supportive work environment: Establishing a workplace that’s inclusive and welcoming to women is crucial. Employers can achieve this through polices that address issues such as gender discrimination, harassment and equal pay. Encouraging open dialogue and actively involving women in the decision-making process will also help create a healthy culture.
3. Offer flexible work arrangements: Flexibility in hours or remote work options can help women balance their professional and personal lives, making the construction industry more appealing to them.
4. Emphasize safety: While most jobs held by women in construction are in a management, sales or administrative capacity, Hunt has observed more women going into skilled trades. A growing number of the subcontractors – electricians, plumbers, heavy equipment operators that she works with are women. That’s why employers need to prioritize safety measures and implement strategies to make worksites safer for everyone. One way to do this is technology. The emergence of autonomous construction equipment that can be operated remotely from the comfort of a nearby office may help level the playing field.
5. Partner with organizations: The industry has no shortage of organizations dedicated to supporting women in construction. These include the National Association of Women in Construction, which offers development opportunities through its local chapters across the country.
Cox Communities is proud to work alongside female construction leaders and is committed to DEI practices that help us build a better future together.
