Women in Trades

Less than 3.4% of construction trade workers are women, according to research conducted by the Institute for

Women’s Policy Research, 2018 report.

That number is comparable with other SKILLED TRADES when it comes to percent of women. We are focused on narrowing this skills gap.

The US Department of Labor Statistics reports that women are substantially underrepresented (relative to their share of total employment) in agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, and transportation and utilities. The jobs that are available and will become available are suffering a shortage and women can help fill those gaps.

Women have to see it to be it. The WSWHE BOCES Women In Trades Initiative is focused on narrowing the skills gap and encouraging young women to enter the trades, in particular traditionally male dominated fields such as automotive technology, auto body repair, construction trades, environmental conservation & forestry, heavy equipment operation, HVAC-R, industrial and performance machining, power sports technology and welding.

WSWHE BOCES has been providing fun and engaging hands-on activities that educate and inform female students about the earning potential, career opportunities and educational resources that are available to them.

“By having the young women in our CTE programs demonstrate what they are learning for their peers, and working with our business partners, we hope to inspire more young women to get into the trades and to think more about non-traditional career paths,” said Nancy DeStefano, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Programs.

Regionally, 1.2% of automotive technicians and carpenters are women. Yet both industries' entry level hourly wage is above the Regional Living Wage Floor according to the Workforce Development Institute. With more experience individuals can earn $38-40 per hour, with no college degree required. Female HVAC technicians in our area comprise less than 1% of the industry.

“There are opportunities for learning and careers in these industries that WSWHE BOCES aims to help women realize are out there,” said DeStefano.

Additional Resources:

Report from the Women’s Policy Institute: A Future Worth Building: What Tradeswomen Say about the Change They Need in the Construction Industry

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