 |
Women in the Construction Industry
by Mirko Vasco
http://www.fieldconstruction.com
"The voice of women in construction" is the motto of one of
the strongest associations for female construction workers
called NAWIC (National Association of Women in
Construction). They are using their voice through places
such as their 8th annual conference in Forth Worth, Texas
(March 6-12, 2005) to share the message about the need for
workers in this industry. An estimated 250,000 new
construction jobs will need to be filled over the next 4
years. NAWIC is hoping to get the message loud and clear
that this industry is in need of a few good men and women.
The National Association of Women in Construction has a
remarkably long and proud history. The organization was
founded in the post-World War II era, in 1953, when skilled
jobs were still slated for men. Fifteen women from Fort
Worth, led by Doris Efird, who were all in the construction
industry met and started a group they called simply Women
in Construction. One of the founding members stated, "We
were women with electricity in our veins, cement dust on
our shoes, [and] sawdust on our minds." By 1955 the group
began to expand beyond Fort Worth and on May 17, 1955,
the National Association of Women in Construction was born.
The membership of NAWIC continues to expand today. Over
5,500 women construction workers in 185 chapters throughout
the U.S. and 2 chapters in Canada now belong to this
association. Affiliated agreements were recently signed by
NAWIC to start similar programs in New Zealand, Great
Britain and South Africa.
In 1961 the group initiated the NAWIC Founders Scholarship
Foundation to honor the pioneering women who started the
organization. Scholarships are awarded to students who are
studying in construction-related fields. Over $4 million
dollars has been awarded between the national scholarship
program and the scholarships awarded by local chapters.
In 1969, the group started a national magazine and added
an educational foundation aimed at children in 1972. The
educational foundation offers innovative programs that
introduce students at all levels to opportunities and
careers in construction. Today the education foundation
also offers construction-related adult certification
programs through Clemson University.
The objectives of NAWIC, as listed below, are quite clear
and progressive:
- -~"To unite for the mutual benefit of the
women who are actively engaged in the various phases
of the construction industry."
- -~"To promote education and contribute to the
betterment of the construction industry."
- -~"To encourage women to pursue and establish
careers in the construction industry.'
- -~"To provide members an awareness of the
legislative process and legislation as it relates to
the construction industry."
NAWIC enjoys rewarding its members and non-members who work
hard to fulfill these objectives. Many awards in their
honor are given during the annual conference to these
outstanding individuals. Some of these awards are the
"Crystal Vision" and "Crystal Achievement", which have been
given out over the past eleven years. "The Voice of Women
in Construction" has come a long way since their simple
beginnings. Wonderful results are yet to come from this
national and international success as the industry expects
to quickly grow in the next few years.
Submit An Article
|
|
|
