NEW YORK — A recent survey conducted by the New York chapter of Professional Women in Construction (PWC-NY) shows women employed in construction find many benefits to working in the industry and suggests ways to break down barriers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 46.9 per cent of women are employed in the total workforce, but women represent only 10.8 per cent of workers in construction.
“Women are grossly underrepresented, in spite of the fact that it has one of the lowest gender pay gaps with women earning 95 per cent of their male counterparts (compared to an average of 81 per cent gender gap for all industries) and the salary of a female construction manager averaging $97,180 annually,” a release reads.
PWC-NY conducted the survey of its members to help determine the reasons for this disparity and to seek suggestions for filling the void of female workers in the sector.
The survey revealed the greater pay scale and advancement opportunities within the construction industry were the primary reasons for seeking a job in the field, followed by professional development, substantial benefits and job security.
Women noted they attained job satisfaction contributing to the development of a building from start to finish; took pride in a tangible result that required problem-solving and creativity; enjoyed having the opportunity to grow; and the gratification of being a trailblazer for other women.
“Today there are only 1.3 million women employed in the construction industry, despite its being ranked as the number one paying industry for women,” Regina Rivera, PWC-NY executive director explained in a statement.
“Although progress has been made over the years, PWC-NY created this survey of its members in hopes of encouraging more women to choose construction as a career path, by learning from the experiences of those surveyed, and sharing the benefits and advantages they prioritized.”
The main barrier, the survey revealed, is the lack of awareness of the professional jobs in the field, suggesting education might be key to allowing women to see the opportunities.
It was suggested seminars and job fairs that tailor to skills inherent in women, such as communication, detail focus and organization, as well as highlight the work-life-balance possibilities in construction would be a good strategy.
Professional Women in Construction is a non-profit organization that supports and connects women in the fields of architecture, engineering, construction and related industries. New York is the founding chapter of PWC, established in 1980 by eight women who banded together to support each other in advancing their careers and businesses, states the release.
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