'Show women the limitless opportunities available'

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Though their numbers are increasing, women are still underrepresented in the industry, which remains 86% male. A recent survey from the trade group Professional Women in Construction, New York Chapter (PWC NY) identified barriers and opportunities to improve the situation. In recognition of Women's History Month, we asked Regina Rivera, the organization’s executive director, to look back and ahead at the state of women in construction, and what we can learn from the survey results.

—Margot Lester

How has the state of women in construction changed in the last 10 years?
The number of women in construction increased in recent years, reaching a new high of 1.3 million, but there is a lot of room for growth. Women are taking on more leadership roles, which is very exciting. There are still some instances where women are not treated as equals in the industry, but their accomplishments are speaking volumes and changing perceptions every day.

What's the most important finding from the survey?
The PWC NY survey revealed that a big obstacle in increasing the number of women in the construction industry is the lack of awareness of the professional jobs in the field. It’s our aim to show women the limitless opportunities available to them and the many advantages—including one of the lowest gender pay gaps, with women earning 95% of what men do.

What can men in the industry do to be effective allies?
Create a female-friendly work environment, including benefits that appeal to women such as flexible hours and a generous maternity leave; a mentorship program within the company; safety equipment and PPE geared to women; and a clear and enforced no-tolerance policy for harassment. This makes a statement that women are welcome and valued. Raising awareness of the AEC industry as a career path for women is also key. [Companies can] increase efforts to recruit at career fairs, trade schools and colleges and offer internships and mentorships for young women.

What's one trend you hope continues this year?
Setting industry-wide goals to protect the environment and focusing on sustainability are trends that I am hopeful will continue. At recent industry panel discussion events hosted by PWC NY, we’ve explored topics such as decarbonization and resilience infrastructure, including strategies for retrofitting existing buildings, compliance considerations and design implications for the future.

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The Level is written by Margot Lester and edited by Katie Parsons.