Celebrate Women in Construction Week with educational opportunities

While celebrating Women in Construction (WIC) Week, March 1-7, consider opportunities at next week’s ConExpo-Con/Agg show to sign up for one of several events focused on women in the industry.

“As the largest construction industry-focused trade show in North America, ConExpo-Con/Agg seeks to draw attention to and celebrate the important role women play in the industry,” said Dana Wuesthoff, vice president of expositions and event services with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and ConExpo-Con/Agg show director in a press release. “Working together, Con-Expo-Con/Agg, NAWIC, and WOFA, will not only showcase women industry leaders, but reinforce the career growth potential for women, who today represent a small percentage of the workforce and the opportunity to diversify the industry.”

“According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey, women make up only 9 percent of total workers in construction,” said Chrissy Ingram, executive administrator of NAWIC National. “As our industry continues to grapple with a labor shortage, women are poised to help play a greater role in all areas of construction. By teaming up with ConExpo-Con/Agg, organizations like NAWIC and WOFA can help women thrive in a male-dominated industry.”

The partnership kicks off with a breakfast event, Genders on the Jobsite, on Wednesday, March 11. It features Vicki O’Leary, founder of Be That One Guy, and Lorein Barlow, director and producer of Hart Hatted Women, who will have a candid discussion on how women experience job site opportunities and challenges and explore how everyone has a role in keeping job sites productive and safe for all workers.

On Wednesday afternoon, a panel discussion and networking event will be held in the Tech Experience. It features social media influencer and construction business owner Missy Scherber, Aaron Witt of BuildWitt, Keaton Turner of Turner Mining Group, and Stacey Tompkins of Tompkins Excavating.

To sign up for these and other women events, click here. And, if you know of a woman in the aggregates industry who deserves recognition, email me about a potential profile in Rock Product’s Women who Rock.