Behind successful projects and enduring brands, standing so often just out of frame, are dedicated change-agents innovating, coordinating, and navigating teams forward, day after day. This week, Belco is recognizing women in construction, whose work and dedication keep our industry moving and improving.
Women in Construction Week®
Women in Construction Week is founded and led by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), and celebrates the achievements of women across the industry. From project managers and estimators to operators, supervisors, and executives, the initiative highlights opportunities ahead for the next generation.
The Progress is Real: By the Numbers
Construction is evolving, and the numbers tell part of the story:
- 14.4% of construction payroll positions are now held by women. This is the highest on record and represents approximately 1.2 million women working in construction nationwide. This doesn’t account for women impacting adjacent industries like manufacturing, transportation and warehousing.
- 77% growth in women working construction trades over the past decade
- 10.5% of construction managers are now women, more than double the rate in trade roles
This data represents real women building careers in an industry that’s historically been difficult to break into. The progress is measurable, and it matters. However, there’s more work ahead, particularly in expanding pathways into trades and leadership roles where skilled professionals remain in high demand.
Barriers and Opportunities
The construction industry is facing a well-documented shortage of skilled labor. At the same time, women remain significantly underrepresented in the trades, making up just 4.3% of workers in construction and extraction occupations. Apprenticeships, mentorship, and workplace cultures that support retention create pathways for women to enter and advance in construction. These investments inevitably build a stronger, more resilient workforce for everyone in the industry and, arguably, significantly bolster local economies in the process.
While we continue to see progress year over year, women in construction consistently report facing barriers, including:
- Limited access to apprenticeship programs
- Workplace discrimination and harassment
- Lack of advancement opportunities
- Difficulty finding supportive work environments, especially in seasons of motherhood
These statistics represent talent we can’t afford to lose and in some cases, potential we haven’t begun to fully realized.
Why This Matters to Belco
At Belco, reliability isn’t just a cornerstone of our products. A consistently excellent customer experience is also the exhaust of having invested in the people we work alongside every day. Our commitment to quality starts with our team and extends to every dealer, distributor, and builder we partner with.
Women have been essential contributors to construction at every level, from the millwork floor to project management and executive leadership. The future is truly being built today by people of all backgrounds and experiences, and it will shape our homes, our communities, and the industry at large for decades to come.
As a company built on the values of commitment, dependability, and teamwork, we recognize that supporting diversity in construction isn’t separate from operational excellence. It’s essential to it. The best teams draw on a variety of perspectives, skills, and experiences to solve problems and deliver results. We’re proud to stand with NAWIC and our industry peers in recognizing the women whose leadership, skill, and perseverance help build what lasts.
Looking Forward
Women in Construction Week® is a moment to celebrate progress, but it’s also a reminder that the work continues. Every contractor who creates an inclusive jobsite, every company that invests in apprenticeships, every mentor who opens doors for the next generation. These actions compound over time into real industry transformation. We’re committed to doing our part. That means supporting our team members, coming alongside organizations like NAWIC that advance opportunity, and holding ourselves accountable for creating a workplace where everyone can contribute and succeed.
Get Involved
- Learn more about NAWIC’s Women in Construction Week®: nawic.org/wic-week/
- Connect with your local NAWIC chapter: nawic.org/regions-and-chapters/
- Support apprenticeship programs in your community
- If you’re a woman in construction, consider mentoring someone just starting their career
- Donate to 2026 Belco Partner – She Built Foundation
The future of construction is being built right now by people who show up, do excellent work, and help others do the same.
