2024 IACTE -Recruitment of Women in the TRADES
Recruiting women in the trades.pdfThe focus of this presentation is on the recruitment of women for traditionally male occupations. Women fair well in math, science, and other technical areas and should be scouted for positions in the Trades; a skilled job, typically one requiring manual skills and special training (Welding, Automotive, Construction, etc.) Attendees will learn to seek women with technical skills to fulfill greatly needed vacancies in the trades. Females with technical backgrounds can benefit from non-traditional roles and occupations and bring qualities such as attention to detail, safety, and the ability to follow detailed instruction.
Women who have experienced the challenges of working in a male-dominated environment, you can play an important role in ensuring that, in addition to positive messages about wages, skills and benefits, women have the information they need to realistically assess their ability to thrive in the industry. As you are aware, though there are many women who enjoy creating, working with their hands and being physically active, they remain, for many reasons, under-represented in trades careers.
Barriers to Recruiting Women
1. Limited exposure to and information about trades’ careers including benefits or entry routes to apprenticeship, and their potential eligibility.
2. Less likely to have vocational education or work experience related to these occupations or even informal skill building through friends or family members.
3. Careers are not marketed to women and there are very few visible tradeswomen demonstrating that women can have successful careers in the industry.
4. Lack of confidence that they are prepared to succeed and will be welcome in the industry.
(https://womensequitycenter.org/tradeswomen/outreach-and-career-education/ )
(https://womensequitycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Participants-Guide_2014_lowres.pdf )
How to attract and recruit women in male-dominated industries
(https://awis.org/resource/recruiting-retaining-women-male-dominated-industries-actionable-tips-examples/ )
1. Commitment from top management
2. Make your intentions known – marketing, visitors, fieldtrips, girl’s tech camps.
3. Model and Develop the Behaviors You Expect
4. Offer career planning
5. Show your commitment and educate your workforce
6. Listen and act
Are you conscious of your biases?
The truth is, we are all biased. We are human, and that is how our brains work. The brain categorizes information to speed processing time. If you grow up only seeing men in lab coats when you visit the doctor, or see magazine ads, or watch TV – and someone asks you to picture a doctor or a scientist, you will likely call to mind a man. The key is to understand your biases and actively work to counteract them.
Take a bias test and ask yourself:
· What percentage of your organization’s leaders are women? Had you noticed this before? Why or why not?
· If you are a leader, what percentage of your team is women? Why or why not?
· How are responsibilities divided among your team or family members? Is there a gendered division of labor? Why or why not?
· Have you ever questioned a woman’s judgment? Would you have questioned a man in the same scenario? Why or why not?
· Have you ever interrupted a woman or talked over her when she was speaking? Would you interrupt or talk over a man? Why or why not?
· Do you ever comment on a woman’s clothing, makeup, or facial expressions? Would you make the same comment to a man? Why or why not?
What assumptions do you make about people? Do you assume mothers with small children would not be interested in attending happy hour, traveling to a conference, or applying for a promotion? When you see a ring on a woman’s finger, do you assume she is married to a man?
How Women Are Overcoming Stereotypes in the Skilled Trades
Skilled Trades June 01, 2022
(https://www.fortis.edu/blog/skilled-trades/how-women-are-overcoming-stereotypes-in-the-skilled-trades.html )
Women are in demand in the skilled trades and this type of career may suit you if you prefer an active job over a desk job. In recent years, a growing shortage in the trades such as HVAC, plumbing, welding, electrical, and mechanics means employers are actively recruiting female employees.
By 2030, it is predicted that the world will face a global talent shortage of more than 85 million people. Here in the US, 81% of construction firms couldn’t find enough skilled employees to meet the demand in 2021, according to the Construction Association. Demand is only continuing to boom. There’s never been a better time to explore skilled trades. What can you do to counter existing stereotypes?
Embrace History
MARCH - National Women History Month (1987)
March 8th International Women’s Day- Celebrates working women world wide
As more women enter the field, stereotypes about gender roles and jobs held by women are changing. You may not know this, but historically, the US supported women in the trades during World War II when the men went to war, with 37% of the US workforce made up of women. They worked as electricians, manufacturers, HVAC-R technicians, mechanics, and welders. The modern mindset is changing again to welcome women back into the professions.
Despite the booming talent need, women are still underrepresented across skilled trades, making up less than 10% of the workforce. There are challenges, it’s true. Some of the barriers women have faced in the past include lack of information and assumptions they weren’t capable of or interested in the work. But not only have women handled trade jobs in the past, they handled them well.
Be a Role Model
If the trades appeal to you, choosing this career path models the choice to other women. One stereotype women face is they’re not strong enough to do heavy labor—for example, on a construction site. But many traditionally female jobs require heavy lifting too, including nursing, childcare, and food service. The skilled trades don’t all involve brawny muscle, of course. Careers encompass jobs such as electrician, mechanic, and plumber which don’t generally demand a lot of brute strength. Bonus, the trades can offer opportunities for advancement into management positions.
Explore Professional Organizations
There are professional organizations geared just for women in the trades. They offer professional support and solidarity to women in these fields. Here are a few.
· Professional Women in Construction
· Women in Trucking
· Tradeswomen, Inc.
· Chicago Women in Trades
Links & Resources:
Toys R US is gender neutral, removing boy and girl sections
Chicago Women in Trades, is to ensure that all women who want to work with their hands and earn a good living have equal access to information, training, and employment opportunities in the industry.
· https://www.apprenticeship.gov/sites/default/files/CWIT_Women-Only-Pre-Apprenticeship-Programs.pdf
Women in HVACR, was organized exclusively for educational purposes to further the growth of women in all areas of the HVACR industry, including technical, sales, management and ownership. It is our goal to provide our members with a variety of opportunities to network and develop in a professional environment.
· https://www.womeninhvacr.org/
Tools and Tiaras, are passionate about creating an avenue where young girls can showcase their talents and succeed non-traditional roles, our belief is that the future of the construction industry depends on the ability to get all capable hands on deck and harness the talents of young girls and women especially in this field. Working hand in hand with education providers, research institutes and businesses, we hope we can encourage more young girls to jump on this wagon.
· https://www.toolsandtiaras.org/
Women Who Weld® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that teaches women how to weld and find employment in the welding industry. We’re developing economic opportunities for women and diversifying the workforce.
· https://www.womenwhoweld.org/press