Women In Construction Week: Laying A Foundation For A Brighter Future
By: Krista Robinson, Vice President of Human Resources | The Weitz Company
As the construction industry celebrates Women in Construction Week, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on the incredible contributions women have brought to the construction industry over the decades. According to research done by Construction Coverage the number of women in the construction industry has steadily increased since 2016, reaching 14% of the workforce and growing.
Another significant milestone is the rise of women in leadership roles. Today, women hold over 20% of leadership positions within construction companies, according to an article in construction-today, a reflection of the industry’s evolving approach to leadership and the importance of inclusionary environments. While these stats show outstanding progress by women in the construction industry, we continue to keep an eye on the future, so we can continue to support the growth our industry for generations to come.
Supporting Our Workforce To Ensure Success
As a leader at a top national construction firm and one of the oldest construction companies in the country, I’m passionate about supporting and growing all Weitz employees. In practice, this requires understanding barriers that certain groups may face and identifying the best policies and programs our company can leverage to assist employees on their journeys to success. A recent example of this in action at Weitz is our decision to expand our parental leave policy to 12 weeks fully paid for the birthing parent. This progress is essential to supporting working parents, staying competitive, and sustaining workforce growth demands. We’re hopeful this important enhancement becomes the standard in our industry.
Importance of Mentorship and Leadership Diversity
One of the most effective ways to ensure progress for women in construction is through opportunities for mentorship. Mentorship provides more than just career advice—it offers practical guidance that builds confidence and fosters meaningful connections. Construction-today stated that women who have access to mentorship are more likely to remain in the industry. At Weitz, we offer the AIM mentorship program that helps employees connect with others to increase their knowledge and confidence.
Diverse leadership teams also play a crucial role in retaining women in the industry. Many women in construction report never having a female supervisor, yet nearly three-fourths express a desire to take on leadership roles at some point in their careers. At Weitz, we are proud to have two women in leadership positions on our executive leadership team and a number of women in senior leadership roles throughout our company.
WIC Week Wrap Up
As we wrap up Women in Construction Week, let’s celebrate the incredible milestones we’ve achieved, as an industry, while recognizing that there’s still work to be done. By creating a more inclusive and welcoming culture, we can continue to break industry norms and pave the way for future generations of women in construction. Here’s to us!
