ABC-SEMI Issue 2 2019

Southeast Michigan Contractors  Issue 2 2019 9 the “super male-dominated industries” spectrum, women are cracking the concrete ceiling. Recent ABC data shows that construction is expected to grow by 3% in 2019 and another 3% in 2020. That includes an additional $50 billion in construction spending, with 323,000 newly created jobs, a number that could grow to almost two million by 2021. This is a tremendous time for women to enter into a career in the trade industry. “I remember when it came time for me to take the reins of our company from my father and lead,” said Paige Levy, president of Douglas Electric. “It was incredibly stressful and frightening, but also exciting and rewarding. Having a vision of where you see the company heading and making that a reality is incredibly rewarding. Seeing our team succeed and grow, develop and accomplish great things is a great source of pride. Woman or not, you must be capable and willing to be a leader and it is something I didn’t realize was in me until I found myself in that moment—now I couldn’t imagine anything else.” Not only are increased job openings readily available for women, but also the average compensation for construction jobs is better and more equal compared to many other industries. Across all industries and markets, women in the U.S. earn an average of 81.1% of what their male counterparts make. However, in the construction industry, the gender pay gap is much lower. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that women in construction earn an average of 95.7% of what men make—an 18% pay bump compared to other industries. “ABC companies are embracing diversity and working to close the gender gap,” said ABC SEMI President and CEO Keith Ledbetter. “Men and women alike should take every opportunity to advocate for their female colleagues, as well as encourage young women exploring opportunities in the trades. The foundation for equality within our industry has been poured, and together we can construct a world built by men and women—working side by side.”