Toast to Something Worth Escaping To

Rest, Refresh & Recharge

Empowering Women in the Electrical Industry – A Labor and Wage Gap Solution

The demand for trained electricians has reached critical levels as the United States strives to shift away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable energy alternatives. Unfortunately, the electrical industry is still mainly male, with women accounting for a mere two percent of all electricians. Women’s underrepresentation not only maintains the gender wage gap but also worsens the labor deficit in this critical area. The current situation can be improved by encouraging more women to pursue professions such as electricians. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for electricians in 2021 was more than $60,000, which is much higher than the national average for all occupations. Furthermore, with one million additional electricians required to reach climate goals, skilled individuals will find a plethora of career opportunities.

With a critical scarcity of electricians in the face of emerging green technologies, a diverse and inclusive workforce is required. Electricians are in short supply because of a lack of investment in technical schools and a predominance of four-year college degrees as the principal professional path.

Texas Women in Trades founder Allie Perez emphasized the importance of adequately marketing the sector to women and cultivating more relatable role models. The group also focuses on outreach and education, boosting awareness of potential trade career options and advocating the benefits of pursuing such careers. Texas Women in Trades hopes to increase the number of women considering and applying for employment in the trades by campaigning for better marketing of the industry to women. Various impediments prohibit women from entering and succeeding in the electrical business. These include harassment and abuse, a lack of visibility, exclusionary unions, childcare issues, and inadequate caregiver assistance. Connie Ashbrook, co-chair of the National Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues, emphasizes the importance of relationship-based networks, which sometimes exclude women from job prospects.

Women’s empowerment in the electrical industry not only tackles labor shortages but also helps to move to a more equal society. We can establish a workforce that reflects the diversity required to generate a sustainable future by breaking down obstacles, fostering supportive settings, and adopting government and private sector initiatives. Women’s participation in the electrical trades is more critical than ever as we tackle the problems of climate change and the shift to green energy.