by Randy Cramer, NAI North Central |Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead
Randy Cramer is the current Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation president. He is broker/owner at NAI North Central, an international provider of commercial real estate services, and has been involved in land development and real estate in the F-M area for over 30 years
October is Careers in Construction Month! Skilled artisans and professionals, including carpenters, plumbers, electricians, masons and painters are in high demand from general contractors in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Traditionally, trades careers have drawn higher interest from men, but they provide rewarding, fulfilling career paths for anyone. I’d like to point out some specific reasons why women should take a thoughtful look at construction:
“What I find most fulfilling about working in the trades is starting with an idea and turning it into something that people can enjoy for decades to come. Homes are beautiful, functional and personal, which is why I decided to go into homebuilding. Women offer a different perspective to this industry and we are good at multi-tasking!” – Stephanie Lindemann, Purchaser at Eid-Co Buildings, Inc. – Construction Management Degree from North Dakota State University
1. Competitive Salary
A pay gap exists between men and women across most industries. On average, women in the United States earn 80 cents for every dollar a man earns. However, the gap is much smaller in the construction trades. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women in the construction industry earn 97 cents for every dollar a man earns.
2. Job Opportunities
The residential construction industry is one of the few sectors where demand for new workers has risen. Unfilled jobs in the construction sector reached a post-recession high earlier this year. A National Association of Home Builders survey found shortages of labor in various types of construction jobs including framers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and bricklayers. This is true on the local level, too.
3. Scholarships
Funding is available for students who are interested in or currently pursuing opportunities in residential construction.
Home Builders Care Foundation offers local trades-career scholarships to both high school and post-secondary students – hbafm.com/hbc/scholarships
National Housing Endowment is NAHB’s charity offering post-secondary scholarships – www.nationalhousingendowment.org
4. Network of Experts
There is a growing community of women in construction who are willing to mentor and share insights with women entering the field:
- National Association of Women In Construction has a local chapter in Fargo-Moorhead.
- National Association of Home Builders offers a Professional Women in Building Council.
- National Center for Women’s Equity in Apprenticeship and Employment is a consortium of groups representing tradeswomen’s organizations around the country.
5. A Sense of Accomplishment
Working in the trades brings a sense of satisfaction for completing high-quality work that contributes to homebuilding and ultimately helping to fulfill the American Dream.
Home Builders Care Foundation provides hands-on experiences for young people to learn about careers in the trades like job site tours, Herdina Academy for the Construction Trades and the Health, Tech & Trades Career Expo. Visit www.hbcfm.com for all the details!
Home Builders Care of F-M
Mission: Impacting our community through building projects, empowering students and shaping the future workforce.
For more information, contact:
hbcfm.com
[email protected]
facebook.com/HomeBuildersCare
twitter.com/hbcfm
