One small step to networking, one giant leap for women in construction

By Dani Sheehan.

More women are finding rewarding careers in the roofing industry – in a male-dominated field it’s important to find opportunities and resources for growth and leadership.

Roofing continues to be a male-dominated profession, with women making up as little as 4% of roofing professionals across the nation. Up to 10% of the overall construction workforce is held by women, but these positions are typically office positions and only indirectly related to the trade's positions. These statistics make it hard for women to find growth opportunities and take on leadership roles, but the dynamics of the construction industry are changing.

A recent blog article from Beacon Building Products highlighted a number of professional organizations that have been dedicated to enabling women roofers to build their careers and find access to help working at any level. Joining organizations is a great way to meet and connect with other women and share stories, resources and training. Two key organizations specifically focused on furthering women’s careers in the construction industry include:

1 – National Women in Roofing (NWIR)

Started in 2016, NWIR has identified four pillars to enable women to help each other succeed. Through networking, they provide opportunities to interact with women in the industry. They create learning programs and other experiences to help members build successful careers by emphasizing education. They pair women through mentoring to help empower growth and excellence in their chosen fields. Finally, they focus on industry recruitment to attract and hire women who will bring diverse backgrounds, experiences and skills to the roofing community.

2 – National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC)

Like NWIR, NAWIC’s core purpose is to strengthen and amplify the success of women throughout the construction industry. They are committed to championing women to impact the direction of our industry and work to provide education, community and advocacy for women. With over 115 chapters across the U.S., women builders, tradeswomen and other professionals can find a community to support their professional growth, leadership, public service and more.

Read the full article on Beacon’s blog for more networking opportunities and to learn more about succeeding as a woman roofer.

Photo source: Beacon