By By D’Ann Brown, 2025 Professional Women in Building Council President, StrucSure Home Warranty
After a successful Ladies Who Lead luncheon where over 300 women heard insightful stories of professional challenges, personal successes and impactful mentorship, it became clear how important empowering the next generation of women in this industry will be to continued growth.
The residential construction industry is evolving, and so too is the workforce that powers it. Traditionally male-dominated, the construction sector is now seeing an increase in women taking on roles from fieldwork to project management and executive leadership. Supporting the next generation of women in residential construction requires intentional actions, strategic investments, and a cultural shift that encourages inclusivity and growth.
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1. Introduce Early Exposure and Education
The pathway to construction careers often begins with early exposure. PWB believes that girls are never too young to start learning about the vast opportunities available to them in the home building industry. For example, Past PWB President Sherry Pruitt connected with Spring Branch ISD seniors at the SBISD’s Career and Technical Education Senior Job Fair, spending valuable one-on-one time with the next workforce generation. Students learned you don’t have to pursue the traditional college path to have a rewarding, fulfilling career that offers advancement, growth and stability.
Schools, community organizations, and industry leaders can collaborate to introduce construction-related curriculum, hands-on workshops, and mentorship opportunities targeted toward girls in middle and high school. By showing young women the wide range of careers available — from architecture and project management to skilled trades — we help them envision a future in the industry.
Partnerships with technical schools, trade programs, and universities can further open doors. Scholarships, such as the PWB Scholarship through the GHBA Scholarship Program, and internships specifically for women can remove financial and access barriers, giving more aspiring professionals the chance to build real-world experience.
2. Highlight Female Role Models
Representation matters. Featuring women who are thriving in residential construction roles helps to normalize their presence in the industry. PWB does this with our diverse calendar of events such as the above-mentioned Ladies Who Lead Luncheon and our panel discussion with female project managers and superintendents. Whether it’s a superintendent managing multiple builds, a skilled tradeswoman on a framing crew, or a female CEO leading a homebuilding company, these success stories inspire and validate the career path for younger women.
Companies can share these stories through social media, internal newsletters, industry events, and classroom visits. Mentorship programs that pair established professionals with new entrants can provide guidance, support, and valuable networking opportunities.
3. Foster Inclusive Work Environments
Creating a supportive culture is essential to retaining women in construction. This includes addressing outdated stereotypes, eliminating bias in hiring and promotions, and ensuring that jobsites are safe and respectful. Providing proper facilities, personal protective equipment in women’s sizes, and clear anti-harassment policies are basic but essential steps.
Additionally, offering flexibility for those balancing family responsibilities, along with leadership development opportunities, can make a significant difference in career satisfaction and retention.
4. Invest in Leadership Development
Encouraging women to move into leadership roles ensures a more balanced and resilient industry. Companies can support this by investing in training programs, sponsoring attendance at industry events and conferences, and promoting from within. PWB offers opportunities for development through our award-winning mentorship program and a variety of networking and learning events throughout the year with a dynamic community of female professionals from various sectors within the residential construction industry. Leadership development not only strengthens the individual but sets a precedent for equity at the highest levels.
Women in leadership can also act as mentors and advocates for those coming up behind them, helping to shift company culture from the top down.
5. Engage the Industry as a Whole
Builders, developers, associates and contractors all have a role to play in advancing gender equity. PWB is special because it brings together a diverse group of women across all professions within the residential building industry. The relationships you build through PWB can help open doors to new business partnerships, career opportunities, and mentorship possibilities. Industry-wide efforts such as workforce development initiatives, inclusive hiring campaigns, and data tracking on diversity help ensure that progress is measurable and sustainable.
Supporting the next generation of women in residential construction isn’t just about gender equity; it’s about strengthening the future of the industry. With intention, collaboration, and commitment, we can build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.