A recent report on Delaware women in construction trades shows the number of women in the industry is very low.
The report by the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy says just 9.3% of Delaware women are in construction with just 3% representing construction and extraction jobs such as plumbers, carpenters, and electricians.
"We're really at a crisis in terms of the number of women in construction. No industry can thrive when the pool of applicants is just from one gender. We know that Delaware women have thrived in non-traditional careers like firefighting and police work. There's no reason they can't thrive in construction," said Melanie Ross Levin, Director of the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy.
The report also looks closely at the role apprenticeship programs can have in addressing the issue.
Several recommendations include expanding apprenticeship opportunities for women considering a trade as well as increasing support for women already in the industry.
The Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy is working with the state’s Labor Department to highlight specific programming available to job seekers, especially women, through registered apprenticeships and other training programs.
"Women in Delaware are much more likely to be in poverty, and these are family sustaining wages,” said Levin. “We also have a huge shortage of women working in trades. At the same time, we have a huge need. There's companies saying left and right that they can't find qualified workers."
Levin hopes this report spurs companies to look at women as a pool of employees, and gets women to look at this industry as a way to provide for their families.
Levin notes this report shows the lack of women in construction is a big issue in Delaware, but she adds it’s also an opportunity for women to join construction.
