Women in Roofing: The Evolving Workforce
Women in Roofing: The Evolving Workforce https://pbroofingco.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PCRa-5.jpg 2500 2139 PB Roofing https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ee28a6949ea6af745b0ddec55b8b9ce1?s=96&d=mm&r=gBreaking Barriers
In a once completely male-dominated trade, women workers have developed a more diverse and inclusive view of the construction industry. According to GoConstruct.org, women make up around 14% of construction industry professionals and this number can only be set to rise with more and more women choosing construction jobs.” The current lack of obtainable workers in the construction, and more specifically the commercial roofing industry, has given women a greater opportunity to become a vital part of a presently struggling workforce. Thriving March awareness campaigns such as Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day showcase the unmatched qualities and contributions of women across the globe. These initiatives have helped educate and generate a change in perception amongst those trapped within old schools of thought.
Inspiring Lasting Change
The fight for change is a long and difficult journey. Many brave and trailblazing women have shaped American history and culture, and women in roofing are no different. These women have founded peer support groups such as National Women in Roofing (NWiR) and The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) that provide the support of a community and mentorship throughout the industry. They provide networking opportunities, education, and comradery for all women in the trade, along with allyship from their male counterparts.
Challenge Accepted
There are several established obstacles that require an immediate need for greater awareness and open discussion within the industry as a whole:
- Pay Gap: Statistics reveal that 43% of organizations do not actively monitor gender pay gaps
- Gender Bias: Women are the victim of 60% of gender discrimination cases at the workplace
- Exclusion: 8 out of 10 women feel left out at company social events and gatherings
- Lack of Advancement: Over 70% of female construction workers feel passed over for roles because of their gender
- Shortage of Role Models: More than 45% of women in construction have never worked with female construction managers (New England Institute of Technology)
Given these challenges, women have made great leaps to become leaders of their organizations. PB Roofing is one of those organizations. With half of its executive leadership team comprising of women, PB Roofing emphasizes the need of a diverse team through its organizational structure. To learn more about the women of PB Roofing, visit our social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter) for our National Women’s History Month Spotlights. As a company that was founded on the ideal of disrupting the establishment, PB Roofing builds its team by an individual’s merit, ability, and values.
Forging the Path Ahead
In a 2020 report, McKinsey & Company found that just under 87% of women working in construction hold office positions, and only about 2.5% of tradespeople are women. Women also only make up about 14% of staff executive and 7% of line executive positions. These statistics may seem shocking, but, in the end, they represent the overdue opportunity for growth and equality. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the construction industry will add about 400,000 new jobs through 2030. These jobs need to be filled with the right people, regardless of biases about their gender.
Managing Misconceptions
Whether it be a roofing technician, field supervisor, or part of a business leadership team, the need for motivated individuals that want to evolve their skills is at an all-time high. Success is developed from the ability to grow personally and professionally in a role. According to a National Bureau of Economic Research report, women are more likely to work together than men. This is significant, as commercial roofing projects require high levels of teamwork across various departments.
Taking the First Steps
There are many different career paths in the roofing industry. You can work for a contractor, manufacturer, distributor, union, national association, engineering/architectural firm, and more in roles relating to project management, sales, finance, marketing, estimation, scientific research, IT and other fields.
For careers as a roofing technician, it is recommended that you first have a high-school diploma or GED certificate. If you are interested in pursuing higher-education to make yourself more valuable as a prospect, there are institutions that offer associate and bachelor’s degrees in construction-related fields of study. Once you are educationally prepared, you can enroll as a commercial roofing apprentice for on-site, practical training and experience that clears the path to become a full-time roofing technician. Along with the first-hand knowledge you’ve acquired, you will need to apply for industry certifications. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification can provide you with the safety knowledge needed for new jobs.
Recruitment
Gender-diverse companies are 25 percent more likely to achieve above-average profitability than companies with less diversity. At PB Roofing, we believe that a vital component of growing our business is identifying and engaging with exceptional employment candidates, regardless of gender.
PB Roofing has an awareness of the next generation workforce’s needs by supporting flexibility and openness. Visit our careers page if you have what it takes to challenge yourself and be part of our growing team!