As the sector faces an aging workforce and tight labor market, big contracting firms, as well as smaller subcontractors and their suppliers, are being forced to diversify their hiring. As a result, in recent years, private design, engineering and contracting firms, construction trade groups, labor unions and nonprofit workforce-development agencies have mounted a full-court press to identify and train more women for the industry. In 2016, the CT State Building Trades, in concert with ULA, launched “Building Pathways CT,’’ to put women and men through seven weeks of pre-apprenticeship training to qualify them to work in construction. Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island have similar programs.
https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/as-industry-faces-workforce-shortage-more-women-embracing-construction-trades