Feb 23 2009
Women in Construction (WIC) Week will be celebrated March 1-7 by more than 100 chapters of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). NAWIC exists to enhance the success of women in the construction industry.
WIC Week provides a unified time for more than 5,500 NAWIC members to raise awareness of the opportunities the construction industry holds for potential employees and to highlight women as a visible, growing force in the industry.
"Construction presents one of the few growing, well-paying careers in the United States that hires from high-school graduates to Ph.D.s," says Dede Hughes, NAWIC Executive Vice President. "Women can build a career in the construction industry and advance by continuing their education. The emerging trend is women starting their own companies."
A broad range of activities will be employed to spread NAWIC members' passion for working in construction. Award banquets, membership drives, community service projects and hands-on workshops will be conducted from coast to coast - all designed to promote construction and the value of women's contributions to the industry.
"Women have broken in to the construction industry and have gained depth and influence. In 2007, women accounted for nine percent of construction workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics with women-owned firms seeing a consistent gain year over year," said Julie Lyssy, NAWIC Marketing Director. "Our members reflect a cross section of industry segments and skill sets from business owners and executives to tradeswomen. The common link that shines through is passion for their chosen trade."
Anyone interested in participating in events with a local chapter is welcome to contact the NAWIC Office at (800) 552-3506 to get more information about events in your area.