Working in the Trades: Women in the Construction Industry

Did you know that according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, women comprise only 10.9% of construction industry jobs? That includes women in the trades and administrative positions! Explored further, the women working in construction are primarily employed in office roles (over 86%), meaning that a mere 2.5% of women in the industry are actually on-the-job tradespeople.

All that to say—when you meet a professional like Lori Erickson, you are meeting a one-in-a-million, beat-the-odds, high-five-her-she’s-awesome kinda gal.

WOMEN AT WORK

Working in Construction

Lori Erickson is the co-owner of ESI Contracting, Inc. She’s been working in the construction industry for over twenty years; first on the job site as an assistant to her husband as he installed cabinets, and later as an equal partner in their business. “As time went by, I learned more and more skills. I have always enjoyed physical labor, so it was a natural fit to move into a more active role,” says Lori.

Adair Homes employs ESI to install underpayment, cabinets, mill work, and other various products for the Southwest Washington branch. When we asked Lori what was the most rewarding part of her job, she didn’t hesitate a moment.

“When I step back and it looks great. When the customers come into their home and are really excited about their new kitchen or mill work, it makes my day.”

The number of women in construction is growing. The industry is on an upward trend—but it’s not an easy road.

“My advice for other women who would want to be a finish carpenter or cabinet installer is to be ready to work hard physically.  There is a lot of heavy lifting, getting up and down from your knees, and using power tools all day. It's not easy, and it's definitely not for everyone, but it can be really rewarding. You have to make sure you are taking care of your knees and back by lifting correctly and stretching.”

Resources for Women

There are resources worth looking into for women already involved in the Construction Industry, or are looking to transition into this growing sector.

The National Association of Women in Construction offers education, networking opportunities, and support to women who want to advance their careers in the construction field.

They also provide classes on leadership, and direction in on-the-job skills. All women in construction are eligible for membership, regardless of what sector they currently work in; trades, marketing, administration—all are welcome. 

And, for those who want to make education a priority, the Groundbreaking Women in Construction Conference is an annual meeting-of-the-minds, where pay equity, accessibility to skills and resources, and networking is top-of-mind.

Adair Homes is proud to support women in construction—and not just one month out of every year—but all year long, in every one of our branches.

About Adair Homes

With 51-plus years in the industry, Adair’s long-term commitment to treating each customer with honesty, integrity, and respect has paid off, 22,000 customers strong and counting. 

At Adair Homes, our mission states: it is our privilege to build our customers the home they have always dreamed of. We believe in providing the greatest value for our customer’s dollar and finding innovative ways to value engineer homes. We believe that we can offer an outstanding customer experience that is both enjoyable and rewarding—and offer this one-of-a-kind customer experience as the largest on-your-lot builder in the West. For more info, get in touch with us here or call 1-844-518-7072.