MYWIC SUMMER CAMPS EXPANDS FOOTPRINT IN 2024 TO BRING MORE WOMEN INTO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

BY LAURA MCGRATH | 2024 MYWIC COMMITTEE

Each day more and more women are entering the construction industry, yet they still only make up 10% of the workforce. Women are less likely than men to apply for jobs in construction because they are unaware of job opportunities in those sectors and may not understand how to access these careers. They often have a reduced likelihood of growing up working with tools, and they receive encouragement to pursue math or another relevant career, instead of technical training classes. They also face unconscious bias, inadequate training opportunities and negative stereotypes.

For more than 60 years, The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has worked to combat harmful stereotypes about women in the construction industry by offering its members opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more. The association works tirelessly to advocate for the value and impact of women builders, professionals and tradeswomen in all aspects of the construction industry.

A Construction Summer Camp for Girls

In the Philadelphia region, NAWIC Philadelphia Foundation has spent nearly two decades educating girls and boys in elementary school, middle school, and high school, about a potential career in construction. One of its signature programs is the Mentoring young Women in Construction (MyWIC) summer camp. This camp provides 7th through 12th grade girls free exposure to various aspects of the construction industry, including carpentry, electrical work, painting, sheet metal, bricklaying and pipe cutting. They also get exposure to essential skills like first aid, power tool use, and general safety training, as well as the opportunity to tour job sites and meet industry leaders from all aspects of a construction project. They are encouraged to ask questions and engage with construction journeypeople.

The camp is run by women and men from the trade unions and the construction industry, who volunteer their time to participate in this program and share their experiences. Thanks to many generous sponsors, all campers are provided with boots, safety gear, hand tools and more at no cost. Transportation and meals are also provided.

“MyWIC is developing America’s next generation of female leaders by teaching them about the construction and skilled trades industry,” said Mary Gaffney, NAWIC Phila. Foundation President.

“Working in construction has transformed my life and the life of my family educationally and economically. I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring women of all ethnicities that there are incredible opportunities to build a career in the skilled trades. By the end of the camp, we see a tangible increase in the girls’ awareness and interest in construction.”

Expansion on the Horizon

2024 is an exciting year for MyWIC. The summer will kick off with a brand-new camp in Northeast Philadelphia in June, followed by a 6-week camp that originates in South Philadelphia starting July 2nd and continuing through August 8th. This year, each camp is expected to host 44 girls, meaning 88 girls will get hands-on exposure to construction trades. With organizations such as NAWIC and events like the MyWIC camps, our industry is set on a path to a more inclusive and vibrant future.