How Rosie The Riveter Can Change The Face of Construction

When the attacks on Pearl Harbor forced the United States into World War II, it also forced a large part of the male populace into military service. While these brave men proudly fought to defend our country, the women left behind valiantly sprang into action. More than merely keeping the home fires burning, women went to work. They manned factories and kept the labor force intact and the economy thriving in the absence of the aforementioned male work force. The same can happen in the construction industry.

Women, when properly trained, can meet the demands of the diminishing pool of qualified workers for the construction industry. As homes and businesses continue to change the skyscape, women have a sizeable role to play. They fill seats in the boardroom, take the helm in architecture and development, and don hard hats on building sites.

Just like women a generation or two ago stepped into the shoes left vacant by men in service to their country, women can step into vacant roles on job sites today. Here are five easy ways that can be done.

1. Like Rosie The Riveter, women must recognize the need for their skills.
2. Like Rosie The Riveter, women must dive head first into every opportunity.
3. Like Rosie The Riveter, women must accept the challenge put before them.
4. Like Rosie The Riveter, women must form a team of workers who help each other.
5. Like Rosie The Riveter, women must receive swift and thorough training and education.

Hard-headed and hard-hatted women have the physical strength, mental acumen, and income goals that make construction a serious career choice. While men still constitute the vast majority of workers on most construction sites, the number of women on job sites is increasing annually. They can go even higher, though, with the right encouragement, the right open doors, and the right training.