Earlier this year, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) announced its plans to "conduct research and develop an action plan to improve women's advancement into leadership roles within the construction industry" with support from a sizable government grant (CAWIC, 21 February 2014). CAWIC is recruiting employers in Alberta, Ontario and Newfoundland/Labrador to collaborate with as part of its Women's Advancement Project (CNW, 26 August 2014).
Visit http://www.newswire.ca to read CAWIC's most recent press release and www.cawic.ca to learn more about CAWIC.
The Policy Group on Tradeswomen's Issues (PGTI) is a collaboration of individuals from a variety of disciplines committed to increasing women in the construction trades. PGTI leverages the diversity of members' professions to gain greater insight into how to best push enforcement of policies set forth to increase career women in the trades. Content on this blog is submitted through PGTI members and collaborators.
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Repost: Women in Trades - An Apprenticeship Success Story
Oregon Tradeswomen Inc. (OTI) Executive Director Connie Ashbrook's recent post on the USDOL blog provides a concrete narrative of both the challenges that women face in entering the construction trades and the need for Registered Apprenticeship programs to focus on recruiting women. Ashbrook rightly states,
Programs like OTI's pre-apprenticeship program continue to serve as an integral link for women to access good-paying jobs in the building trades. Read more about OTI and the success of their pre-apprentice Deawendoe “Dee” St. Martin at http://social.dol.gov/blog/.
"Although many people believe it is women’s physical abilities that can keep them from succeeding in a trades career, the most challenging obstacle women have to overcome in becoming an apprentice is a lack of knowledge about these careers and how to successfully apply for apprenticeship" (Ashbrook, 17 July 2014).
Programs like OTI's pre-apprenticeship program continue to serve as an integral link for women to access good-paying jobs in the building trades. Read more about OTI and the success of their pre-apprentice Deawendoe “Dee” St. Martin at http://social.dol.gov/blog/.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Repost: A woman working a "man's job" - Mrs. Maombi, bricklayer
Mrs Maombi with her trowel. © Photo: Thierry Kayandi/RNW http://www.rnw.nl/africa |
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, few people are surprised when a woman drops her apron for a job to help support her household. But many were surprised when Maombi Aristide chose to become a bricklayer.
By Thierry Kayandi, GomaAristide, 34, is a mother of six who realized that her family could no longer manage on her husband’s salary alone. Working for the Congolese National Police, he did not earn enough to pay for their children’s education.
DRC’s persisting socio-economic crisis has forced many Congolese women to seek an incoming-generating activity to help make ends meet at home. Maombi is certainly not a unique case. But her choice of job was. Bricklaying is still seen as an exclusively male trade in such a traditional and conservative society like DRC.
From vending to bricklaying
Before entering the construction industry, Maombi sold snacks on the streets of Goma. She made around three dollars a day, with one dollar being spent on the 15-kilometre trip to and from her home in Ndosho. This meagre income was barely enough to put food on the table.But Maombi found inspiration for her future job in the Rwandan city of Gisenyi, near Goma, after crossing the border to look up an old neighbour. She found her working on a construction site where all the bricklayers were women. With no man to guide or supervise them, the women’s determination and independence made a deep impression on Maombi.
“These Rwandan women inspired me, especially their dynamism," she recalls. "That same evening when I returned home I told my husband about it and decided to change my activities.”
Maombi first worked for a few months as an intern assistant bricklayer for the renovation of the school she attended as a child. Once completed, the school began offering a new course encouraging women and girls to take up careers in construction. Maombi jumped at the opportunity and, through her teachers, she found her next job on a construction site.
A better income, a better life
Maombi’s living conditions have improved considerably with the six to eight dollars she now earns per day. She has no reason to miss her hawking days. Thanks to her financial contribution, her family can now afford both education and healthcare.Her husband is proud of her. Maombi now also has more time for her children since she works closer to home and no longer has to undertake long and costly bus commutes.
“My husband didn’t like it when I was selling on the streets because I would often come home late at night, when the younger children were already asleep,” she explains.
Her eldest daughter is now 14 and wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps by taking construction courses at the school. She is only waiting for her father’s approval. How could he possibly say no?
Visit http://www.rnw.nl/ to view this article's source.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Repost: Breaking the Stigma in the Skilled Trades
Women are a resource to help address the looming shortage of skilled workers
TORONTO — As Ontario struggles to find a solution to a labour shortage that will require an estimated 40,000 skilled workers over the next decade, stigma blocks a potential workforce that could play a large part in rectifying the problem.The historical and misguided public perception that the skilled trades are the domain of big, brawny, handy men has resulted in a dearth of women in the trades, but it is past time to break down those barriers, says Tammy Evans, President of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction.
“We have unemployed and underemployed women who are a natural resource for entering the skilled trades,” says Evans, who will be at Future Building 2014 in an effort to reach the next generation of potentialtradeswomen. “Events like Future Building are a great opportunity to educate the public and really push the discussion to ask why not? Why not open the door to a woman in the skilled trades? Why not consider investing in training, hiring and promoting women in trades as a viable, homegrown, economic advantage to address the current and future shortage of skilled trades?”
Future Building, partnership of the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) and Employment Ontario, is a three-day interactive trade expo geared towards students in Grades 7-12, showcasing the various skilled trades in the industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector, including masons, plumbers, glaziers, carpenters, ironworkers, steamfitters and sheet metal workers.
This year’s show will take place April 8-10 at the Mainway Recreation Centre in Burlington.
“The unionized construction sector has been actively working to increase the number of women in the skilled trades, and we expect we will see a lot of young women touring the show floor at Future Building,” says Sean Strickland, Chief Executive Officer of the OCS. “Technology has changed the needs of the skilled workforce. The opportunities in the construction trades are open to everybody. We need to talk about that, recognize it and promote it.”
An event like Future Building is necessary because the past two generations of students have been drilled that university is the only path to a career, says Evans.
“We have this perception of trades as not being for smart people, but that in fact is not true,” she says. “Skilled tradespeople are intelligent, professionally-trained workers. We need to elevate that profile. In the current market, a university graduate with a general arts degree, if they can find a job in their chosen field, should realistically expect a starting salary in the $40,000 to $50,000 range at best. They are unlikely to be above $50,000 to start. A first-year journeyperson coming out of trade school (depending on the particular trade) will likely earn between $60,000 and $70,000, and has the potential to earn a six-figure income within five years.”
To view the original article, visit http://www.exchangemagazine.com.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Repost: Sisters of Philadelphia (video)
Great stories from UBC Sisters in Philly!
Sisters of Philadelphia from UBC Sisters in the Brotherhoo on Vimeo.
Sisters of Philadelphia from UBC Sisters in the Brotherhoo on Vimeo.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Repost: Sister Carpenters Build Your Future (video)
Great stories from women carpenters in UBC!
Sister Carpenters Build Your Future from UBC Sisters in the Brotherhoo on Vimeo.
Sister Carpenters Build Your Future from UBC Sisters in the Brotherhoo on Vimeo.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Repost: Women in Trades training a success, Liberals say
Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 5:54 PM
By Jonathon Brown
Prince George, B.C.
The Women in Trades Training Program is growing the number of women turning to that part of the workforce in B-C.
Shirley Bond, Jobs Minister and MLA for Prince George - Valemount says the program is important tool of encouraging women to consider a career in trades, which she says can often be a difficult choice.
"Since 2008 / 2009 when the current labour market agreement was signed, and the end of this fiscal year, we've seen about 2,500 women who have been served by the women in Trades Training Program," Bond says.
Bond calls those numbers a success, and critical for discussions with the federal government when it comes to funding.
She says a $4 million dollar injection into the Canada - BC labour market agreement has led to an increase in women registered as apprentices."About 10.5% of all registered apprentices are now women, and that's from 8.5% in 2009."
With the labour market agreement up for renewal, Bond says the Women in Trades Program is exactly the kind of program she wants to see protected.
By Jonathon Brown
Prince George, B.C.
The Women in Trades Training Program is growing the number of women turning to that part of the workforce in B-C.
Shirley Bond, Jobs Minister and MLA for Prince George - Valemount says the program is important tool of encouraging women to consider a career in trades, which she says can often be a difficult choice.
"Since 2008 / 2009 when the current labour market agreement was signed, and the end of this fiscal year, we've seen about 2,500 women who have been served by the women in Trades Training Program," Bond says.
Bond calls those numbers a success, and critical for discussions with the federal government when it comes to funding.
She says a $4 million dollar injection into the Canada - BC labour market agreement has led to an increase in women registered as apprentices."About 10.5% of all registered apprentices are now women, and that's from 8.5% in 2009."
With the labour market agreement up for renewal, Bond says the Women in Trades Program is exactly the kind of program she wants to see protected.
Visit http://hqprincegeorge.com to view the original article.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Repost: Women aged 40 'happiest at work'
New study from the UK shows happiest workers are 40-year old women, and construction is listed as the first of the industries "with the highest proportion of fulfilled workers."
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WORKERS who are most happy in their professional life are likely to be well-educated women aged 40, working in a secure industry offering a good work/life balance, according to a new British study.
A survey of 2000 employees by recruiter Randstad found that ambitious women were getting the most from work.
The firm drew up the profile of a "very fulfilled" worker, saying it was likely to be a 40-year-old, well educated woman, earning STG31,600 ($A58,340) a year, having a positive personality, with a sense of vocation in their career.
Industries with the highest proportion of fulfilled workers included construction, farming, teaching, social work, hospitality and health, while below average scores were found in manufacturing, the public sector and financial services.
"As the debate about equal opportunities at work continues, it's inspiring to see that women are on top in terms of fulfilment," said Mark Bull, chief executive of Randstad.
"Clearly, not everyone in the UK can be a well-educated, 40-year-old woman, but you don't have to fit the typical profile of a very fulfilled worker in order to reach your full potential and feel more fulfilled in your career.
"Sadly, you may not find many 40-year-old women working within the construction sector. However, construction staff do tend to work in a vocational environment and often derive a real sense of satisfaction from seeing a project develop from the ground up which is why they have such a high proportion of very fulfilled staff within the workforce.
"Similarly, staff within education, social work and healthcare will also have a strong sense of vocation and derive satisfaction from helping others and all of these characteristics fit the typical profile of a very fulfilled worker."
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WORKERS who are most happy in their professional life are likely to be well-educated women aged 40, working in a secure industry offering a good work/life balance, according to a new British study.
A survey of 2000 employees by recruiter Randstad found that ambitious women were getting the most from work.
The firm drew up the profile of a "very fulfilled" worker, saying it was likely to be a 40-year-old, well educated woman, earning STG31,600 ($A58,340) a year, having a positive personality, with a sense of vocation in their career.
Industries with the highest proportion of fulfilled workers included construction, farming, teaching, social work, hospitality and health, while below average scores were found in manufacturing, the public sector and financial services.
"As the debate about equal opportunities at work continues, it's inspiring to see that women are on top in terms of fulfilment," said Mark Bull, chief executive of Randstad.
"Clearly, not everyone in the UK can be a well-educated, 40-year-old woman, but you don't have to fit the typical profile of a very fulfilled worker in order to reach your full potential and feel more fulfilled in your career.
"Sadly, you may not find many 40-year-old women working within the construction sector. However, construction staff do tend to work in a vocational environment and often derive a real sense of satisfaction from seeing a project develop from the ground up which is why they have such a high proportion of very fulfilled staff within the workforce.
"Similarly, staff within education, social work and healthcare will also have a strong sense of vocation and derive satisfaction from helping others and all of these characteristics fit the typical profile of a very fulfilled worker."
To view the original article, visit http://www.heraldsun.com.au.
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Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Job Opportunity: Plumber - San Bernardino, CA
PLUMBER
County of San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA
The County of San Bernardino has an excellent opportunity for an experienced Plumber to fill an immediate vacancy at our state-of-the-art hospital, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Future vacancies may also occur to handle the maintenance for a variety of buildings throughout the County. Plumbers with at least four years of hospital, institutional, commercial, and/or industrial experience are strongly urged to apply.
To learn more about this excellent opportunity, please review the Plumber announcement at www.sbcounty.gov/hr and apply today. (909) 387-8304 - EEO/ADA
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Repost: Massachusetts Building Trades face long diversity odds
(Photo Courtesy of Building Pathways) |
Increasing the numbers of blacks, Latinos Asians and women in the construction industry and the building trades is an uphill battle, with thousands of workers entering each year and the established diversity programs helping a small number so far, but Massachusetts trades organizations say they are committed to the fight.
Mayor-elect Marty Walsh touted his own effort — Building Pathways, a building trades pre-apprenticeship program serving low-income residents of the Greater Boston area.
The program, which he launched while he served as head of the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District, was designed to help Boston residents, with a focus on women and people of color, learn the skills and receive the credentials to enter building trades apprenticeship programs.
With over 20 different trades and several dozen apprenticeship programs throughout the state, Building Pathways aims to help its students find the right career direction.
Launched in 2011, the six-week skills training, assessment and placement program has had five training cycles with 70 graduates, 95 percent of whom are women and minorities. According to Building Pathways statistics, 85 percent of the graduates have been placed in apprenticeship programs. The last class of 16 participants graduated last month, all of whom were low-income minority Boston area residents, including 10 women.
While Walsh has received plaudits for his diversity efforts, the numbers are just a tiny fraction of the workers who enter the building trades on a yearly basis. According to the Massachusetts Building Trades Council, almost 6,500 workers were enrolled in both union and non-union apprenticeship programs last year — with unions spending close to $30 million to recruit and train new workers. Comparably, Building Pathways has graduated 70 over three years.
Walsh says he recognizes that the Building Pathways program is not going to single-handedly diversify the building trades industry overnight, but he says it is an extremely important program for what it is attempting to do and that it can serve as a model for a way to increase diversity.
He also points out that the only reason the program has had any success at all is because the different building trades are behind the efforts and have guaranteed placement of its graduates — they want to increase diversity.
“All of them are very much into it,” Walsh said. “That was the key to this program.
“It is the only program of its kind that is successful,” he added. “It has been very, very effective.”
Despite their professed commitment to diversifying their ranks, none of the union or non-union building trades organizations would disclose the demographics of their workers.
Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Council, says the problem is not about a requirement to track diversity, the challenge is so many different unions and organizations that are run separately and have their own bylaws and charters.
“It is difficult on a whole number of fronts,” Callahan said. “I get frustrated about it myself.”
Callahan says he believes the building trades are sincere in their diversity efforts.
“I go out to the union halls, I see the diversity in members,” he said. “It is something that the building trades have been committed to for quite some time.”
District 7 City Councilor Tito Jackson says the unions will have to disclose numbers if they want to make progress on diversifying.
“We know the building trades don’t reflect the population of the city of Boston,” he said. “We need to make sure we’re being thoughtful and deliberate about how we diversify the building trades. We have to be able to measure our gains against a baseline.”
While the Massachusetts building trades continue their efforts without numbers to illustrate the cause, other states that have made pushes for diversity in the trades have estimated numbers — and the results do not reflect much improvement.
A report out of Philadelphia, which cites numbers from the Office of Housing and Community Development collected from 2008 to 2012, found that the makeup of the union members in the building trades by the end of this period were 99 percent male, 76 percent white and 67 percent suburban residents. This number is only union members — non-union numbers have not been recorded — so it may not reflect the true diversity of the building trades workforce.
But the report findings demonstrated that even after Philadelphia officials pushed for diversity there was little impact on the unions that lead the way in the industry.
The National Black Chamber of Commerce was quick to jump on the implications of the report, releasing to the media an open letter in July to U.S. Representative Marcia Fudge, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
“We are very disturbed that elected officials as well as civil rights organizations have this cordial relationship with construction unions. Construction unions have consistently discriminated against black workers and contractors,” the letter stated. “Ninety-eight percent of all black construction firms are nonunion. There is a reason — if they join a union the union will manage their employees and thus never hire them for work. The end result is the business being void of any black workers and the former black employees will soon be unemployed.”
The letter also concluded: “These construction unions are a prime contributor to black unemployment.”
Municipal officials in the Maryland, Virginia and the Washington D.C. metro area have also made a push for diversity in the building trades, but like in Massachusetts, there is little data to back up what is actually happening.
While the numbers of minorities in the Massachusetts building trades workforce is small, the increased number of construction projects in Boston has created an opportune time for all parties involved to really target the diversity issue in the Massachusetts building trades.
“Boston is No. 2 in the nation for construction right now, so we are really booming,” said Mary Vogel, executive director of the Construction Institute and program manager for Building Pathways. “This is the opportunity to make sure all of our construction workforce reflects our neighborhoods. Women, in particular, are underrepresented in our industry and we want to make sure they have an opportunity to get these kind of careers.”
View the original article at http://baystatebanner.com.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Career Opportunity: Researcher/Field Activist, NERCC
Researcher / Field Activist
NERCC | Boston MA - USA | Full Time
Job Description
The New England Regional Council of Carpenters is looking for four motivated individuals to help promote union jobs and better standards for workers in the construction industry. Positions are available in the following locations:
- Boston, MA
- Central Connecticut
- Rhode Island / Southeastern MA
- Central / Western MA
Organizational Background
The New England Regional Council of Carpenters is a 19,000 member organization covering the six states of New England. We focus on representing the interests of our members as well as raising the standards of all carpenters in the regional construction industry. We are a progressive union that has committed 50% of its resources to organizing. We are an activist union that promotes union construction through political action, community involvement, regulatory enforcement, and coalition work. Effective organizing campaigns depend on a combination of comprehensive research and street activism. The Researcher / Field Activist will be expected to handle both aspects of the job title. They will report to the Regional Manager / Lead Organizer in their area.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop research material on industry trends, track construction projects, and provide financial analysis on owners, developers, builders, lenders, etc.
- Develop educational material and leaflets
- Work with state and federal regulatory agencies regarding issues of wage theft, the underground economy, and tax and insurance fraud
- Work in conjunction with other unions, community groups, immigrant worker advocacy groups
- Occasionally assist in visits to non-union job sites, interviewing non-union carpenters on the job and in their homes Participate in demonstrations and picket lines
Qualifications
How to apply
To apply, please send cover letter, resume and three references to Researcher@NERCC.org
- Previous organizing experience preferred
- Commitment to economic and social justice and agreement with our union's mission and goals
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills – good attention to detail and well organized
- Self-motivated – proven ability to work independently
- Ability to work well with diverse groups and populations
- Knowledge of computer operations and programs
- Multilingual skills preferred
To apply, please send cover letter, resume and three references to Researcher@NERCC.org
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Career Opportunity: Apprentice as an Operating Engineer
HOISTING & PORTABLE ENGINEERS Local 4
Apprenticeship & Training Program
The Training Center will accept applications for entry into the apprenticeship program during the month of November.
Each year at this time, Local 4 notifies appropriate agencies and interested parties regarding their application period. November is the only month that interested parties must apply in person at the Canton Engineers Training Center, One Engineers Way, Canton, MA 02021-3708 (Telephone: 781-821-0306)
To be eligible as an applicant, these basic qualifications must be met at the time the application is assigned.
To join the Apprenticeship & Training Program's inquiry list, please register online.
Apprenticeship & Training Program
The Training Center will accept applications for entry into the apprenticeship program during the month of November.
Each year at this time, Local 4 notifies appropriate agencies and interested parties regarding their application period. November is the only month that interested parties must apply in person at the Canton Engineers Training Center, One Engineers Way, Canton, MA 02021-3708 (Telephone: 781-821-0306)
To be eligible as an applicant, these basic qualifications must be met at the time the application is assigned.
To join the Apprenticeship & Training Program's inquiry list, please register online.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Career Opportunity: Building Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship Program
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Thursday, October 3, 2013
Repost: Program aims to diversify highway construction workforce
By Peter Wong
A state agency is seeking proposals for pre-apprenticeship services that will help encourage more women and minorities to begin careers in highway construction.
The services are the result of a partnership between the Bureau of Labor and Industries and the Oregon Department of Transportation. They are intended to inform students and young adults about potential careers as carpenters, cement masons, iron workers, laborers, operating engineers and painters.
About $200,000 will be split among two or three proposals. The amount will be drawn from $2.1 million in federal funds approved by the 2013 Legislature for pre-apprenticeship services and efforts to diversify the highway construction workforce. The two agencies will ensure that the amount is spread statewide.
Proposals are due at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Department of Administrative Services/Procurement Services office in Salem. Services are scheduled to start Jan. 1 and run for 18 months.
The services are the result of a partnership between the Bureau of Labor and Industries and the Oregon Department of Transportation. They are intended to inform students and young adults about potential careers as carpenters, cement masons, iron workers, laborers, operating engineers and painters.
About $200,000 will be split among two or three proposals. The amount will be drawn from $2.1 million in federal funds approved by the 2013 Legislature for pre-apprenticeship services and efforts to diversify the highway construction workforce. The two agencies will ensure that the amount is spread statewide.
Proposals are due at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Department of Administrative Services/Procurement Services office in Salem. Services are scheduled to start Jan. 1 and run for 18 months.
To view the original article, visit http://www.statesmanjournal.com.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Repost: Women in Construction - Moore Community House
Great video showing how Moore Community House's Women in Construction program is training women in the Gulf Coast for careers in the building trades and partnering with local business to place them in high-paying jobs.
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Women in Construction - Moore Community House from Kertis Creative on Vimeo.
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Women in Construction - Moore Community House from Kertis Creative on Vimeo.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Repost: Miss Utah’s Question is Worth Answering
by PATRICIA SHIU on JUNE 20, 2013
Marissa Powell’s comments on the pay gap at the June 16 Miss USA competition have gotten a lot of attention in the news – but for all the wrong reasons.
Gossip sites and even respectable media sources have homed in on her grammatically shaky response, but let’s not duck the question; it is well worth answering again and again.

As judge NeNe Leakes acknowledged and as I’ve noted myself many times in this blog, there is a persistent wage gap in this country, despite the fact that women play an increasingly crucial economic role in America’s families. Leakes asked what the pay gap says about society, and I think it’s an important question. The fact that the pay gap has decreased over the past 50 years shows that our society is open to change – but the fact that it exists at all shows that change is slow and requires constant support.
Workers can take some responsibility by educating themselves about typical pay scales within their industries and the laws that apply to pay equality, particularly Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act, which was passed 50 years ago this month.
They should also know the federal agencies that are available to assist with education and enforcement, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as well as the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, which I lead, and its Women’s Bureau. We are constantly updating the department’s equal pay website to ensure that women have the tools and resources they need to level the playing field.
While Ms. Powell’s shaky response reflected the stress of responding to an unexpected question in a public forum, her clarification the next day got right to the heart of the issue: “This is not OK. It needs to be equal pay for equal work; and it’s hard enough already to earn a living, and it shouldn’t be harder just because you’re a woman.”
With her response Sunday night, Ms. Powell inadvertently drew more attention to this important question than she could have with a straight answer. That’s one small flub for a woman, one giant meme for womankind. And it’s a conversation we can all benefit from. After all, the pay gap costs individual women thousands of dollars in lost pay every year – and hundreds of thousands across their working lifetimes.
Closing the pay gap has deeply personal repercussions for women around the nation, but it has even greater resonance for society at large. Equality has long been one of cornerstones of our national culture, and its benefits are widespread.
As the president said on the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, closing the pay gap is “part of a broader agenda to create good jobs and to strengthen middle-class security, to keep rebuilding an economy that works for everybody, that gives every American the chance to get ahead, no matter who you are or what you look like, or what your last name is and who you love.”
Patricia Shiu is the director of the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
Marissa Powell’s comments on the pay gap at the June 16 Miss USA competition have gotten a lot of attention in the news – but for all the wrong reasons.
Gossip sites and even respectable media sources have homed in on her grammatically shaky response, but let’s not duck the question; it is well worth answering again and again.
As judge NeNe Leakes acknowledged and as I’ve noted myself many times in this blog, there is a persistent wage gap in this country, despite the fact that women play an increasingly crucial economic role in America’s families. Leakes asked what the pay gap says about society, and I think it’s an important question. The fact that the pay gap has decreased over the past 50 years shows that our society is open to change – but the fact that it exists at all shows that change is slow and requires constant support.
Workers can take some responsibility by educating themselves about typical pay scales within their industries and the laws that apply to pay equality, particularly Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act, which was passed 50 years ago this month.
They should also know the federal agencies that are available to assist with education and enforcement, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as well as the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, which I lead, and its Women’s Bureau. We are constantly updating the department’s equal pay website to ensure that women have the tools and resources they need to level the playing field.
While Ms. Powell’s shaky response reflected the stress of responding to an unexpected question in a public forum, her clarification the next day got right to the heart of the issue: “This is not OK. It needs to be equal pay for equal work; and it’s hard enough already to earn a living, and it shouldn’t be harder just because you’re a woman.”
With her response Sunday night, Ms. Powell inadvertently drew more attention to this important question than she could have with a straight answer. That’s one small flub for a woman, one giant meme for womankind. And it’s a conversation we can all benefit from. After all, the pay gap costs individual women thousands of dollars in lost pay every year – and hundreds of thousands across their working lifetimes.
Closing the pay gap has deeply personal repercussions for women around the nation, but it has even greater resonance for society at large. Equality has long been one of cornerstones of our national culture, and its benefits are widespread.
As the president said on the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, closing the pay gap is “part of a broader agenda to create good jobs and to strengthen middle-class security, to keep rebuilding an economy that works for everybody, that gives every American the chance to get ahead, no matter who you are or what you look like, or what your last name is and who you love.”
Patricia Shiu is the director of the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
View the original article at http://social.dol.gov/blog.
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Repost: Women in Construction offers scholarship to local students
February 09, 2013 1:45 pm • Times Staff
The National Association of Women in Construction Northwest Indiana Chapter is offering a $1,000 scholarship award for the 2013-14 academic year.
Any university or college student enrolled full-time in a construction related undergraduate degree program and a resident of Northwest Indiana is encouraged to apply.
Students must have a 3.0 GPA and desire a career in a construction-related field. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than March 15. Application packets are available at university departmental offices or at www.nawic311.org. Additional scholarship information can be found at www.nawic.org/nawic/NFSF .
Last year, two scholarships were awarded to local Purdue University students, Brianne Slick and Keith Daniel II.
See the original article at www.nwitimes.com.
The National Association of Women in Construction Northwest Indiana Chapter is offering a $1,000 scholarship award for the 2013-14 academic year.
Any university or college student enrolled full-time in a construction related undergraduate degree program and a resident of Northwest Indiana is encouraged to apply.
Students must have a 3.0 GPA and desire a career in a construction-related field. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than March 15. Application packets are available at university departmental offices or at www.nawic311.org. Additional scholarship information can be found at www.nawic.org/nawic/NFSF .
Last year, two scholarships were awarded to local Purdue University students, Brianne Slick and Keith Daniel II.
See the original article at www.nwitimes.com.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Repost: Why secretary is still the top job for women
More on why construction is a good choice for women, and why as a policy issue, moving more women into construction is a good anti-poverty program.
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Why secretary is still the top job for women
By Annalyn Kurtz @CNNMoney January 31, 2013: 8:37 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney)
What's the most common job for American women?
The same as it was in the 1950s: secretary.
About 4 million workers in the United States fell under the category of "secretaries and administrative assistants" between 2006 and 2010, and 96% of them were women, according to the U.S. Census.
How secretary became women's work
The rise of the secretary began with the Industrial Revolution, which created an enormous amount of paperwork. In the early 20th century, it became a female job as companies realized they could pay women lower wages to do the work.
Secretarial schools offered professional training, which made it possible for many women to enter the career without a full college education.
It wasn't until 1950 that it became the most popular job among women. Back then, 1.7 million women worked in a category the Census defined as "stenographers, typists or secretaries."
While the title has evolved since then, it remains the top female job.
"It was out with the stenographers, and in with the data processing people. But many women are still employed in that large category," said Cindia Cameron, organizing director at 9to5, National Association of Working Women. Cameron worked as a secretary before joining the organization in 1983.
Why so little has changed
First, generalists tend to dominate the list of most common jobs, regardless of gender. The top job for American men, for example, is truck driver.
As workers become more specialized, either with years of experience or education, their job titles tend to become more specific to their industry.
So why are so many secretaries still around?
"Every time a major new technology showed up, there were always predictions that this would spell the end of secretaries," said Ray Weikal, spokesman for the International Association of Administrative Professionals. "You saw that with the development of electric typewriters, the personal computer, and the internet, but every time technology gets more efficient, the amount of business increases. You continue to need people who can use those tools."
Administrative assistant could very well continue to be the top job for women in 2020. The Labor Department projects the category will grow about 12% between 2010 and 2020, adding nearly 493,000 jobs during this decade.
To read the remainder of the article, visit the CNNMoney website.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Repost: Registration Is Open for the 3rd Annual Women Building the Nation Conference
The 3rd Annual Women Building the Nation Conference will be held on April 5-7 in Sacramento, CA. The event celebrates women who are leaders in the construction workplace, their communities and in their unions, is sponsored by the AFL-CIO’s Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD) and the State Building & Construction Trades Council of California (SBCTC) and will be held at Sacramento’s Sheraton Grand.
The goals of the conference include:
• Recruit more women into building and construction trades
• Promote retention of women in the trades
• Develop tradeswomen’s capacity for leadership and career growth, on the job and in their unions
The three day event, which also represents the 13th year of the Women Building California gathering, will begin with a Friday meet and greet that will connect women who are leaders in their unions. On Saturday, tradeswomen, union leaders, apprenticeship coordinators, contractors, and politicians will facilitate 30 different workshop sessions aimed at helping women have continued success in their careers in the trades. Topics for the workshops will include Pre-Apprentices, Staying in & Staying Strong, Promoting Leadership, and Policy and Politics.
• Promote retention of women in the trades
• Develop tradeswomen’s capacity for leadership and career growth, on the job and in their unions
The three day event, which also represents the 13th year of the Women Building California gathering, will begin with a Friday meet and greet that will connect women who are leaders in their unions. On Saturday, tradeswomen, union leaders, apprenticeship coordinators, contractors, and politicians will facilitate 30 different workshop sessions aimed at helping women have continued success in their careers in the trades. Topics for the workshops will include Pre-Apprentices, Staying in & Staying Strong, Promoting Leadership, and Policy and Politics.
On Sunday, attendees will join for mind-melding caucuses set up by each trade. A National Policy Forum will be held that day as well.
Registration is done based on a tiered system that will cost the attendee $75 before February 22nd, $100 before March 31st, and $125 from April 1st, until the doors open on Friday the 5th. Members of unions affiliated with the BCTD will receive a $15 discount.
More information is available at 916-443-3302, or on the SBCTC website.
Content from Chaz Bolte at wepartypatriots.com.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Job Opportunity: Suffolk Construction is hiring a Compliance Officer
Position Summary:
The Compliance Officer monitors and reports on the goals and requirements related to workforce compliance and the use of minority, woman and disabled-owned businesses on all projects in Suffolk’s Northeast Region. In addition, the Compliance Officer provides guidance to project management teams on matters relating to such goals and requirements. The Compliance Officer also plays an active role in outreach to and establishing relationships with local, state and community agencies, groups and organizations.
Department: Legal
Reports To: Director of Diversity & Workforce Compliance
Direct Reports: None
Location: Boston, MA
Status: Full Time/Exempt Salary
To read the full job responsibilities or apply for this position, visit Suffolk Construction's website.
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