Big Hearts in Hardhats
The state of Illinois just landed a federal grant of $1.3 million to promote women’s involvement in the construction industry.
The grant money is a part of Joe Biden’s infrastructure package signed over two years ago. The grant includes $1.2 trillion to bring equality to the male-dominated field.
What Does the Construction Workforce Look Like Statistically?
In America, there are only 46.6% of women in the workforce and less than half of them are men. Of that, 46.6% who make up the general workforce, and 74.8% take up the majority of jobs in educational and health services.
In jobs that require physical labor like mining, agriculture, and, in this case, construction, women make up only 25.5%. Yet there are over 1.73 million work in construction, and the percentage of ladies in the United States is concerning.
Women’s Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon says that they only make up 4% of the skilled trades in the current workforce. ” The grant is an opportunity to flip the scripts to help gain access to these typically high-paying jobs”
Women still are affected by the wage gap in the workforce as well. Though it is not a wide cap, they only make 95.5% of what men usually make. The good news is that the gap between men and women is tight. The bad news is that the representation of the workforce is there. This means that there is money left on the table for those in society who have to work two or more jobs, and no one has told them yet.
What does the Grant have in Store for Women in the business?
Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su joined Lt. Gov Juliana Stratton and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to announce the grant. Named the Trades Women Building Infrastructure grant, it focuses on historic investments not only in Illinois but in the nation as well.
The top priority is the acknowledgment of gender equity to all administrations. Teams are led by different tradeswomen organizations who will guide programming to increase inclusion and build equity plans at a quick pace. Last year, Chicago Women in Trades expanded their work to the states and in time the country.
It will create opportunities to find pre-apprenticeships and build trade apprenticeships. Also, it will help find careers in public works construction, during a time when federal funding is at its strongest.
This will take the country into a new role as the United States looks to bring more women into trade unions and become contractors. One with a cleaner energy source; to hopefully manage the global warming situation.
Politicians’ Thoughts About Grant
Secretary Su says the grant would help the country come together and build a new, more effective economy from the ground up. She’s joining with Pritzker to announce the grant to the workers, communities, and families about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Department of Labor is closely working with partners at federal, state, and local levels.
Governor Pritzker states how this move is an uplifted for communities with an equity-centric approach. “Their work has been underrepresented far too long and excluded,” he added. He is also pleased about the state of Illinois being a major contributor to the grant. “The Biden- Harris administration has recognized the work these ladies have done to support the next generations of female workers.”
Written By Daylontie Jasper
Sources:
Chicago Sun-Times: Illinois lands $1.3M federal grant to promote more women in the construction industry; By
