Davinette Stam was introduced to the construction industry while doing administrative and clerical work for a startup company that planned to build a silicon wafer manufacturing plant in Hillsboro. She gained several years of experience in reading blueprints, facilities operations, manufacturing and preventive maintenance.

“It gave me a sense that this is somewhere I want to be. I liked being out in the field and seeing how things got built,” she said.
She started JDS Steel in 2023 and partners with companies that are looking for a COBID-certified business to complete structural steel work on bridges and buildings.

“I had fallen in love with this, had been doing it for many years and was drawn to learn the process,” she said. “I am a women-owned, minority-owned business and I can do project management. I can also work with general contractors and help buy out the steel packages.”

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Janelle Waltz grew up with an uncle who has worked in construction for more than 40 years, and often described the projects he worked on and the impacts they had. Her parents owned properties, so she also learned early on how to do tenant improvement projects. Though she was drawn to work in human resources, she and her husband have done several DIY projects in their own home.

Waltz decided to explore the possibility of a new career and took a series of construction courses. Inspired by her uncle who started his own business 15 years ago, Waltz founded Hartley-Waltz Construction in 2023. The company does renovations, flooring and finishes, and energy-efficient solutions to homes and businesses.
“I like building the relationships with other general contractors and customers who need home renovations. I like the rapport-building piece,” she said.

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The Alvarez family, led by Fatima, Noe and Jorge Alvarez, started Alvarez General Contractor in 2022 after developing expertise and experience in roofing over the last nearly 20 years.

The company works with all roof types, including flat, asphalt shingles, metal and shake. Its projects include multifamily, residential and commercial structures.

Fatima Alvarez said she wanted to become a part owner of the company to have a better life as she grows older. “I enjoy the freedom of not working for someone else and doing my work at my own pace,” she said.

As new members of NAMC-OR, the Alvarezes hope to build relationships with other members, get more involved and obtain more work opportunities. Along the way, Fatima Alvarez said, she is learning to evaluate the scope of the work at hand and always trust the process, advice she recommends to other small business owners.

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By Sarah Jameson
Wealth of Geeks

In a traditionally male-dominated sector, where women make up less than 10 percent of the workforce, the construction industry is experiencing a transformative shift, signaling changes to come. The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the rise of modern construction practices are emerging as powerful catalysts for this shift.

These innovations are dismantling long-standing barriers and ushering in a new era of opportunities for women, challenging the norms in a field that has been slow to evolve.

David Jason Gerber, a University of Southern California professor whose research focuses on advanced technology in construction, told Patrick Sisson of The New York Times, “The construction industry is the largest in the world, in terms of dollars spent, yet we are the least productive in terms of technological adoption and productivity gains.”

This observation underscores the significance of the ongoing transformation.

Groundbreaking advancements by AI and modern construction methodologies are not merely bridging the gender divide, but are also fostering a wave of innovation and efficiency, reshaping the foundation of the construction industry, and paving the way for a more inclusive, progressive future.

AI, Modern Building Practices Leveling The Playing Field

Historically, the construction industry has been a man’s world, with physical strength being a key determinant of success. This focus on physical strength tended to overshadow the myriad of talents and abilities women could offer, limiting their employment and career advancements in the industry.

However, the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern building practices, such as modular buildings, is significantly altering this landscape and leveling the playing field.

Tim Taylor, director of research at the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), said, “Modern construction does not depend on human muscle power; we use hydraulic power, pneumatic power, mechanical power, and electrical power to do the ‘heavy lifting’ so to speak.”

These changes open up opportunities for women to use their talents and make a meaningful impact in the construction sector.

This shift in focus allows women to leverage their organizational skills, attention to detail, and teamwork, which are invaluable in enhancing project outcomes.

AI, with its ability to automate tasks, analyze data, and optimize processes, further complements the strengths that women bring to the industry. It promotes a more inclusive environment where diverse skill sets are recognized and valued, allowing women to thrive and assume leadership roles.

In essence, integrating AI into modern building practices is reshaping the construction industry, breaking down traditional barriers, and recognizing women’s diverse strengths.

This evolution not only fosters gender diversity but also drives innovation and excellence in the field, as women’s unique perspectives and skills become integral to the success of construction projects.

Elevating Women With Training and Skill Enhancement

AI can transform how training and skill development unfold in the construction industry. The combination of AI and virtual reality (VR) is revolutionizing workforce training by creating immersive, interactive, and personalized experiences. This synergy is particularly effective in industries like construction, where practical skills and hands-on experience are vital.

By crafting lifelike construction scenarios using augmented reality (AR) and VR, AI offers women a fast track to gaining hands-on skills and knowledge in a comfortable, managed classroom setting.

This speedy learning curve equips women with vital skills and paves the way for their seamless integration into a broad spectrum of roles within the construction workforce.

This rapid skill acquisition brings women up to speed in an industry where men have accumulated on-the-job experience over decades.

This VR training, supported by AI, accelerates the learning process, with a PwC study indicating that VR trainees learn four times faster and are 275 percent more confident in applying new skills compared to traditional methods.

This accelerated learning process, facilitated by AI, is not just about equipping women with the tools of the trade; it’s about fostering an environment where their perspectives and talents are valued, as well as creating a diverse, inclusive workspace where everyone, regardless of gender, can contribute and climb the ladder of success.

Tackling Challenges, Championing Gender Equality

The path to achieving gender balance in construction still comes with its fair share of challenges.

The white paper from , titled ” In Her Own Words: Improving Project Outcomes,” illuminates the under-representation of women in the construction sector and offers strategies to boost their hiring and continued employment.

The paper emphasizes that tackling urgent matters like discrimination, sexual harassment, and uneven hiring practices is crucial for equality in the construction field.

The document also highlights the necessity for equal training opportunities, just treatment, and a unified push to promote women to leadership roles in the office and in the field, thus cultivating a culture of equality and regard.

The Future of Women in Construction

The fusion of Artificial Intelligence and modular construction is building the foundation for a construction industry that’s more balanced and inclusive.

These technological advancements are opening avenues that were once inaccessible to women, breaking down obstacles, and fostering innovation and inclusivity.

With the construction industry’s ongoing commitment to diversity and investment in forward-thinking education and training programs, women are stepping into critical roles.

They bring distinct perspectives and invaluable skills to the table, steering the industry towards a horizon characterized by advancement and ingenuity.

This article was produced by and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.

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Ankrom Moisan Architects on Friday hosted 120 professionals – mostly women – from the architecture, construction and engineering industries for its fourth annual International Women’s Day celebration.

Consultants from 19 women-owned engineering companies and other firms led speed networking, and Poison Waters provided entertainment at Ankrom Moisan’s Portland office.

Underscoring the role industry leaders play in promoting inclusion and balance, Ankrom Moisan Marketing Manager Sara Drenzek said, “This year’s celebration was our way to not only show support for our own people, but to extend beyond the walls of the office and engage with local businesses, women-owned firms and other female representatives in the A/E/C industry.”

Ankrom Moisan Managing Principal Isaac Johnson added, “I have seen a big shift in this industry during my involvement over the last 25 years. Our clients, architects and contractors are women. This industry is about talent and relationships – offering women and men equal opportunities to grow and lead is a key part of that.”

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By VERENA DOBNIK
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Tameeka Gwyn is used to schlepping concrete weighing as much as 60 pounds around a construction site. For Janna Rojas, it’s a cinch to carry metal pipes as heavy as 100 pounds going into new plumbing.

“When you first do it, it’s quite a shock, but it’s reality,” says Gwyn, who with Rojas is helping build a high-rise for Manhattan’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

They are some of the new faces of the 21st-century American construction worker — with women slowly making inroads in an industry still dominated by men. While there has been progress thanks to a rebounding economy, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics found women represent only 3.4 percent, or about 285,000, of the nation’s 8.3 million construction workers. Over the last decade, the total number of women in the construction industry has risen by about 31 percent.

One program in New York City addresses the gender gap head-on, kickstarting recruits’ training while gaining a promise from unions to try to reserve 15 percent of on-site apprenticeships for women. The Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York is working with a nonprofit group, Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW), which runs a pre-apprenticeship program for women who want to become plumbers, electricians, carpenters and members of other trades.

“We’ve had a real shift in terms of really working with the unions as partners in our work because they recognize that the need for a diverse workforce, a workforce that represents the population of New York City and beyond,” said NEW president Kathleen Culhane. She says they recruit trainees by distributing flyers at job fairs, community organizations and unemployment offices in addition to social media outreach.

It’s clear the industry has a long road ahead to even out its gender discrepancy — one that is hardly surprising for a job often characterized by male workers whistling at women who walk past job sites — despite a push from the #MeToo movement that is leading to sweeping changes in many occupations around the globe.

“The #MeToo movement has highlighted what’s right and what’s wrong, and women are being accepted more and more on the job sites,” says Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council, an organization of 15 labor union affiliates representing 100,000 workers.

Philip LoMonaco, a foreman at the cancer center project, witnessed the transformation firsthand. He first saw a woman on a construction job about a decade ago. Now, there are 200 female workers, including Gwyn and Rojas, building the high-rise on Manhattan’s East Side, representing about 5 percent of all workers on that project, according to the builder, Turner Construction. Jacobson & Co., a large carpentry contractor in metropolitan New York, says 9 percent of its nearly 300 employees are women.

Many of the female workers come from low-income circumstances and some are single mothers used to juggling multiple jobs to pay the bills. But once they break into the trades, these women are better off than those in other lines of work, facing a smaller wage gap compared to men. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says women in construction are paid 96 cents on the dollar compared to their male colleagues, versus only about 80 cents on the dollar in the general workforce.

Gwyn finished her five-year apprenticeship in 2015. The 30-year-old plumber had gone to college to become a teacher, but left school when her student loans mounted. She says she now earns about double what she would have made as a teacher.

Rojas, a 37-year-old plumbing apprentice at the hospital site, is hoping for an eventual six-figure salary after she finishes the program.

Since 2013, about 1,500 apprentices have come out of NEW’s tuition-free trade school, housed in a former firehouse in Manhattan. They spend seven weeks being introduced to basics in such skills as carpentry and electrical work, as well as using a measuring tape to execute a design and mathematical equations to accurately match materials into a space. Similar programs have popped up in Illinois, Vermont, Oregon, Wisconsin and Washington state.

“People might say that it’s a man’s job because it’s dominated by men, because women have been frozen out of this industry for so long,” said Zakiyyah Askia, a plumbing apprentice in a program run by the nonprofit Chicago Women in Trades. “And now that the opportunities are presenting themselves, then it’s time for us as women to seize this opportunity.”

The NEW program also puts its workers to the test physically.

“Every day, we had to carry ladders and buckets with, like, 60 pounds of concrete up and down stairs,” says Gwyn.

In addition to the physical challenges of their jobs, some of the women in the NEW program say they’ve encountered social hurdles — what one called “old-school behavior” such as some male co-workers reluctant to ask them to do equal work, or occasional attempts at unwelcome flirtation.

Gwyn says she made sure she looked “stern and serious, because if you smile, they sometimes say, ‘Oh, she’s cute’ and try to pursue you.”

“I’d say, ‘Thank you, but no thank you!’ I came here to work, and the more I’m here, the less it happens,” she says.

The program provides sexual harassment workshops during its training and all workers in participating trade unions are given the same training. It also ensures women have access to restrooms as well as safety gear and clothing that fits them.

The modest progress women have made in the industry has not come easily or quickly.

In 1985, 19 women sued a New York City public corporation and a real estate firm in Manhattan federal court, saying they were unfairly denied jobs for which they were qualified because they were female. The court approved a settlement requiring builders to make good-faith efforts to hire women-in-training.
LaBarbera, the labor group president, calls the women coming in through apprenticeships “trailblazers.”

And generally, neither gender nor age are impediments.

For Myrtle Wilson, a 49-year-old laborer who had previously worked multiple jobs and struggled to raise her kids, the past two years working on the Memorial Sloan Kettering project doing “a little bit of everything” have been a game-changer.

“I have watched this job literally come from the ground up, and it’s been an amazing experience,” she says with a grin.

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