The residential construction industry in the Chattanooga area can provide women with a rewarding career path. Builders and remodelers in the tri-state area are seeking skilled artisans and professionals, including carpenters, architects, engineers, plumbers, electricians and painters. Here are some reasons why women should consider pursuing a fulfilling career in the trades:
Competitive salary
A pay gap exists between men and women across most industries. On average, women in the United States earn 80 cents for every dollar a man earns. However, the gap is much smaller in the construction trades. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports women in the construction industry earn 97 cents for every dollar a man earns.
Job opportunities
The residential construction industry is one of the few sectors in which demand for new workers has increased, as unfilled jobs in the construction sector reached a post-recession high earlier this year. A National Association of Home Builders survey found shortages of labor in various types of construction jobs including framers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and bricklayers.
Scholarships
Funding is available for students who are interested in or currently pursuing opportunities in residential construction. The National Housing Endowment offers several student scholarships and programs and the American Council for Construction Education has resources available for students interested in teaching opportunities in the field.
Network of experts
There is a growing community of women in construction willing to mentor and share insights with women entering the field. The National Center for Women’s Equity in Apprenticeship and Employment, a consortium of groups representing tradeswomen’s organizations around the country, also offers opportunities for women in the construction industry.
A sense of accomplishment
Working in the trades offers a sense of satisfaction for completing high-quality work that contributes to home building and ultimately helping to fulfill the American Dream.
Darylene Dennon, the first tradeswoman to chair the NAHB Professional Women in Building Council, says, “I was raised to think that if you do a good job, people will appreciate it. And always learn a trade. You can do a trade anywhere. When I was in the field, I didn’t think of myself as unequal.
To learn more about job opportunities in the Chattanooga area, visit the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga at www.HBAGC.net.