The construction industry, historically dominated by men, is seeing women’s participation gradually rise. However, considerable challenges persist, particularly in addressing mental health and achieving workplace equity.
As reported by the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), women comprise approximately 11% of the construction workforce, with tradeswomen making up 3% of this total. Despite this recent growth, women in construction face unique mental health challenges. A 2021 CPWR study revealed that female construction workers experience significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their male counterparts. Specifically, 34.7% of women reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, compared to 13.4% of men. Moreover, 49.1% of women reported experiencing anxiety at least once a month, compared to 28.0% of men, and 12.5% of women reported feelings of depression, compared to 8.9% of men.
Industry support systems
Unionized workplaces often offer better support systems and job security compared to non-union settings, which are crucial for women’s mental wellness within the trades. These benefits are emphasized by initiatives like Lean In’s Circles for Union Tradeswomen.
The program was created in partnership with North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), AFL-CIO, and Build Together. It hosts small online groups for tradeswomen, highlighting trades unions as essential networks that provide mentorship, legal resources, support in addressing workplace bias, and advocacy for healthier work conditions.
Several other successful initiatives are underway to support women in the trades. NABTU’s Tradeswomen Build Nations conference, for instance, serves as the world’s largest gathering of tradeswomen, hosting 4,000 tradeswomen in 2023 and supporting networking opportunities, experience-sharing, and training.
TradesFutures, a subsidiary of NABTU, is committed to advancing women in the trades through implementing, developing, and enhancing Apprenticeship Readiness Programs, currently hosting 225 programs across the United States. The organization has enriched its standardized, comprehensive, 120-hour MC3 construction curriculum with modules on Women’s Health & Safety and Sexual Harassment Awareness, aiming to address critical issues faced by women in construction and create safer, more supportive environments.
Areas for improvement
Despite progress, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding mental health. The CPWR’s January 2022 Mental Health Data Bulletin underscored heightened anxiety and depression among female construction workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Robust mental health support systems, including Toolbox Talks and hazard alerts by CPWR, are essential for raising awareness and providing necessary assistance.
Addressing substance abuse, notably opioid addiction, is also critical. CPWR’s 2019 report on opioids in construction highlighted higher misuse rates among construction workers compared to other industries. Given the prevalence of mental health issues among women in construction, targeted interventions are imperative to support this vulnerable group.
Building solutions
While these organizations are actively working to improve mental health conditions for tradeswomen, the construction industry as a whole still has significant progress to make in enhancing overall conditions. Administering the following action items could acutely improve the current landscape:
- Regular mental health training sessions
- Access to counseling services
- Establishment of peer support networks
- Tailored substance abuse prevention and treatment programs for women in the trades
- Expansion of mentorship programs like Lean In’s Circles for Union Tradeswomen
- Advocacy for industry-wide policies promoting diversity, equal pay, robust anti-harassment measures, and improved working conditions
While improvements have been made towards increasing women’s representation in the trades, challenges still remain. By prioritizing mental health support, substance abuse prevention, and inclusive environments, organizations like TradesFutures and NABTU are helping to cultivate a more equitable construction industry. Through collaborative efforts and commitment, the building trades industry can become an environment where women not only enter but thrive.
