Is construction still a predominantly male industry with limited female access to the C-Suite?

Construction has historically held the reputation of being a male dominated industry. According to our research at HMC, twenty five years ago less than 2% of construction firm owners were woman, where as today it is more around 8%. However today's boardrooms and C-Suites in construction consist of approximately 20% female.

What is causing this shift in female construction workers?

Females in general are on the rise in the construction workforce, and are proving to be outstanding hires for employers. What was once a profession of blue collar, strong men who can use heavy tools, has now become a more polished, high-tech, white collar profession. Management teams in construction today are typically college degreed professionals, with an aptitude in business, technology and communication skills. It is now common to find most construction personnel (office and field) working with a laptop computer, and being credentialed in safety, business etiquette and diversity. As a result, the construction industry has become more accessible to women at all professional, managerial and executive levels. Even construction industry trade associations reflect female leadership in many key positions.

One of the most respected associations in the construction industry is the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) at https://www.nawic.org/ .