Honoring and Celebrating Women in Construction

In its Fall 2021 HBI Construction Labor Market Report, the Home Builders Institute (HBI) shows that the residential construction industry needs to train and place a daunting 2.2 million new workers within the next three years to meet the housing demands in the United States. To meet the projected workforce demands, HBI’s Construction Labor Market Report notes that the industry must recruit more skilled tradeswomen into the homebuilding sector.

BTF is proud to honor women in residential construction during Women in Construction Week (March 6 - 12) and support their journeys to advance careers in every area of the industry.

One way BTF supports women in the residential construction sector is through cross-sectoral collaborations. Recently, BTF announced a partnership with StrataTech Education Group (StrataTech), a leading skilled trade schools operator. StrataTech and BTF will leverage their partnership to attract more women to bring their talents and skills to the industry.

“When you can meet an industry need, serve your communities, and facilitate life change through education, you have the opportunity to make a real difference. Through this partnership, we can make a difference in the construction industry and the lives of our students,” said Mary Kelly, President/CEO of StrataTech.

Ellie Rivera

Besides helping trades school graduates, BTF also supports career-changers entering the industry. After 17 years of dealing with staffing shortages and a demanding schedule in the hospitality industry, Ellie Rivera sought a new line of work.

After a few interviews but no offers, Ellie reached out to a BTF Engagement Manager for help. She sent her resume to the Engagement Manager. Later that day, Ellie received a call from American Builders Supply in Winter Haven, Fla., to set up an interview. Within a week, she received a job offer.

“I’m beyond happy and grateful for Building Talent Foundation’s assistance in landing this opportunity,” Ellie said. “They went above and beyond to get me where I need to be, which inspires me to be a helping hand for others.” 

Ramona Holmes-Stillwagon

Not only does BTF support women in construction careers, but the foundation also turns to experienced industry professionals to serve as role models.

Ramona Holmes-Stillwagon knows what it’s like to rise through the ranks in a male-dominated industry. She joined the industry as a day laborer and worked her way up to be a Construction Superintendent with one of BTF’s founding partners, Toll Brothers.

Ramona collaborates with BTF to help young women turn their lives around and build residential construction careers. “I reached out to Building Talent Foundation because of their vision to help young women get into the field of construction and allow them an opportunity to explore their career options without being limited by what someone says they cannot do,” said Ramona.

“If you're a woman thinking about going into this field, just do it. Don't stop. Don't give up. Make today the day you start a new journey and embrace a career in construction. I did, and it was the best decision I have ever made,” she said.

Sheryl Palmer

BTF and its partners strive to build a residential construction talent pool that welcomes all skilled, career-minded individuals ready to embark on rewarding careers.

“Now, more than ever, it’s crucial for the homebuilding industry to come together in creating a sustainable, diverse, and inclusive construction workforce,” said Sheryl Palmer, Taylor Morrison Chairman and CEO, and Chairman of Building Talent Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Alongside Building Talent Foundation and the Leading Builders of America companies, we are committed to growing this workforce and connecting more women with meaningful opportunities to positively impact the future of homebuilding for generations to come.”

Industry Insights

Construction Faces Over Half-A-Million-Worker Shortage

Construction needs more than half a million workers above its current pace of hiring in order to meet demand in 2022, according to an analysis released by Associated Builders and Contractors. Predictive models from ABC indicate the industry needs 650,000 additional workers.

There's Never Been a Better Time to Celebrate Women in Construction

With an extreme lack of skilled workers in the construction industry, there's never been a more important time to build a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Women in Construction 'Making Our Voices Known'

With a father and grandfather in the industry, Mindy Rocha knew construction was in her blood. Rocha, who founded and owns CJ Industries LLC, worked for her dad's construction company when she was in between high school and college. Both her dad and grandfather were union pipe fitters, and Rocha later got her own master plumber designation.

Meet Five Colorado Women Breaking Ground in a Male-Dominated Industry

Traditionally dominated by men, women represent only 10.9 percent of the construction industry. Even smaller, is the number of women on the front lines of a job site — only one for every 100 employees in the field. But The Aurora Highlands is breaking that mold.

"I Would Not be Respected": Senior School Girls Told Us Why They Weren’t Interested in a Construction Career

The Conversation interviewed 15 young women in grades 11 and 12 about their perceptions of the construction sector. Most didn’t know about the industry’s high earnings and said they couldn’t picture themselves in the job, as they didn’t see many women there.

Contractor Describes Being a Woman in Construction in the ’90s

Jimerson Underground of Stafford, Texas, is one of Equipment World’s 12 finalists for the 2021 Contractor of the Year award. Alicia Jimerson started the company in 1989 and today has 45 employees and runs a $7 million to $10 million business performing underground utility work in the Houston area.

Proper PPE for Female Workers in Construction

How can women’s hi-vis personal protective equipment be used to attract and retain female construction workers?

WRWC Amplifies the Voices of Women in Plumbing During Women in Construction Week

"By supporting women in construction, we can create a more inclusive industry and attract new talent to fulfill the increasing number of open positions within the trades," said Emily Connell, director of brand marketing and communications for RWC Americas.

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