Paving the way for women in construction

Paving the way for women in construction

by Janelle GuthrieCommunications Director

During National Women’s History Month, BIAW celebrates by spotlighting pathways for women interested in a future in residential homebuilding.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, of all the people working in construction, women comprise only 10.9%. At the same time, construction has one of the tightest gender pay gaps with women earning 99.1% as much as their male counterparts compared to the US average for all industries of 81.1, according to Build Your Future.

(l to r) Melissa Irons, BIAW Past President Sherry Schwab, Kimberley Martin and BIAW Secretary Luellen Smith all from the Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council at the NAHB PWB Council Board of Trustees meeting at IBS.

Home building associations pave the way

Through their workforce development efforts, local, state and national home builders associations and their members help more and more women on the pathway to this lucrative industry.

Jennifer Tennyson, President of Tennyson Paint and Vice President of Tennyson Homes, leads the Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council for 2022. She’s a fifth-generation builder who had successful careers in two other industries before pivoting back to home building “because of the amazing amount of opportunity.”

“If a woman wants to make more money, have more autonomy over her life and career trajectory, and better provide for her loved ones and herself, she should consider a career in home building and construction,” Tennyson says.

As the number of women in construction grows, groups like the PWB Council at MBAKS provide support that helps members personally and professionally, she says.

“The industry is growing and our world is requiring diversity in voices and approaches,” Tennyson said. “Women bring valuable insights and experiences to our industry. We are an important resource in addressing the acute labor shortage.”

Opportunities to shine

The BIAW Certified Builder program also offers women builders a chance to shine. Six women now hold the designation. Certified Builder Melissa Irons of Irons Brothers Construction says the designation completed her transition into the building industry. She’s chair of the MBAKS Remodelers Council this year.

“I left a career in nursing to join Irons Brothers Construction in 2008,” said Irons, who uses her background in nursing, management and operations to manage personnel and projects smoothly. “Becoming a Certified Builder reinforces my expertise and experience as a builder.”

Women interested in building a career in residential construction should contact Debbi Boyd, chair of the PWB Council at the Olympia Master Builders, at (360) 259-5903 or debbi@debbiboyd.com or Jennifer Tennyson, chair of the PWB Council at the Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties, at (425) 310-5050 or jennifer@tennysonhomes.com.