Record number of women in construction

According to United Kingdom Office for National Statistics figures, women account for only 12% of people employed in the construction industry

The share of women in construction in the US has hit a record high, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Analysis of the statistics by the Washington Post newspaper revealed that in August of this year 14% of construction workers were female – the highest number ever recorded.

The number of women working in construction in the US started to increase rapidly in 2016 and has increased year-on year. The Covid-19 pandemic also played a role in increasing the number of women in construction. 

The statistics count women that work on construction sites and in offices for construction companies.

One of the largest drivers of the increase has been Hispanic women – according to the Washington Post, the number of Hispanic women in the industry grew 117% over the last six years. In 2020, the share of Hispanic women overtook the share of White women in construction.

With construction suffering a well publicised skills shortage, attracting previously underrepresented demographics, such as women, into the industry is vital.

US Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, recently announced the Million Women in Construction Initiative. This is a goal to double the number of women in construction from one million to two million over the next ten years.