WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION


Foundations for Progress: The Future of Women in Construction


By Kristin Fresa


to the industry during the past two decades, there remains a lot of work to be done. Women make up about 9% of workers in construction; that figure also includes office, executive and administrative positions. Sasha Reed, Director of Industry


W


Advancement at Procore, hosted the webinar entitled, “Foundations for Progress: Te Future of Women in Construction.” Te panelists included Sandra Benson, Worldwide Head of Engineering at Amazon Web Services, Tiesha Moore, President and Co-owner at G3 Electric, and Jessica Sidhu, Project Manager at Kinetic Construction.


Old Perceptions Remain Why girls don’t consider a career


in construction is a subject of much research, but the panelists agreed that there is still a bias against construction that affects students. “Tere was a lack of support from


my parents,” Sidhu said. “Tey didn’t understand what it was really like to be working in this industry. Tey were concerned for my safety and my mental health.” Luckily, Sidhu did get support from teachers. Te public discourse is also lacking


could reduce uncertainty and potential disputes by documenting the transition.


Day of Conversion Te contractor will file the LLC


Articles of Organization Form LLC-1A and a Statement of Infor- mation Form LLC-12 with the Secretary of State. I recommend


www.AGC-CA.org


hile the construction industry has made strides in attracting more women


in its portrayal of what it’s like to work in modern construction and what opportunities exist in the field. “So many women think they’re going to be on top of a roof hammering—and there’s nothing wrong with that, and there are people who do that—but there are so many other jobs out there,” Benson said. “You can go through trade school


and become an electrician with zero debt and be making a great living,” Moore said but acknowledged that women just starting their careers are not told that.


Seeing is Believing Even when women do come into


roles in construction, many leave the industry. Construction work is infamous for long, grueling hours, which may not fit women who have children and are statistically more likely to bear the brunt of unpaid work in their households. Another setback is that they might not be able to envision a future at their current jobs. “We all start at the entry


level,” Moore said. “But what does advancement look like?” Seeing the way to the top can


take two forms: having a supportive leadership team that values women as equals or finding a more experienced mentor who can guide and bolster career-related activities. Sidhu said women shouldn’t be afraid to look for such relationships. “Tere are a lot


paying an extra $750 to have the filings expedited to same-day service. Ten, having coordinated in


advance with the CSLB, the contractor will take the stamped paperwork down to the CSLB to complete the license reassignment. At that point, the corporation to LLC conversion and the reassignment of the license number will


of groups out there; you just have to look for them,” she said. Sometimes, employers can help. Moore said real, effective


mentorship is necessary. Leaders need to assess the results of their programs to make sure a real connection is made. Benson takes mentorship one step


further to what she calls sponsorship. While she defines mentorship as a less- experienced person picking the brain of someone who knows the ropes, she considers sponsorship as actually helping to further a youngster’s career by putting her name forward for an opportunity.


Future Next Steps Going forward, panelists agreed


that the most basic, and yet the most necessary, step they need to take is to get boots on the ground to see what barriers still exist for women in their workplaces. “Talk to the people of your


company,” Moore suggested. “What’s the culture? What are they going to think about a woman who’s their peer moving ahead of them? If that’s not something that can happen, it would be difficult to keep a woman there.” 


Kristen Frisa is an Ontario-based


freelance writer and reporter specializing in construction tech, HVAC, and finance. Tis article was originally published on Jobsite.


happen on the same day. Tere should be no interruption of licensure and the contractor is free to enjoy the benefits of the LLC structure without fear of getting crushed by a giant rock. 


Sean Tompson is a construction attorney with OTMK Law.


Associated General Contractors of California 19


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