CEO of Construction Safety Nova Scotia recommends kicking harassment to the curb, fostering an interest in construction early
The to recruit more women into the construction industry. ContributedMJ MacDonald, CEO of Construction Safety Nova Scotia, a non-profit association aimed at improving safety outcomes for the construction sector across the province, provided the following opinion article.
Back then, I literally had men say to me: “Shouldn’t you be home, barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen?” There were pin-up calendars on site offices walls, rude comments and industry events where the servers were dressed in Playboy Bunny outfits. When I was promoted to project manager, I was often the only woman on site. I received some useful coaching on how to get tough with anyone who was giving me a hard time, and I was supported if anything needed to be escalated.
PPE manufacturers are making more and more garments for women and the industry is slowly changing because more women are working in construction now than ever before. According to Statistics Canada, women made up 14 percent of the “industrial, electrical and construction trades” as well as “trades helpers, construction labourers and related occupations” in 2022, up from 10.4 percent in 2013 and 9.4 percent in 2003.
So, how do we recruit more women into the construction industry? One way is to make it psychologically safe and harassment-free for women. Make sure your workforce is not an “old boys club” anymore where sexist jokes and inappropriate comments are made. If your work site hires women and becomes known as an inclusive environment, you will not only retain your female employees but will attract other highly skilled tradeswomen as well.
When they are high school age, it becomes vital to show them the many trades, science and engineering opportunities that are available and the excellent livelihood they can provide.. They provide young women in Grades 9 to 12 with hands-on, mentor-led programming that gives them the chance to test out various trades and learn from women already in the industry.
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