Women in Construction Week highlights growing opportunities in the trades
By Charlotte Hancox
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SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vermont (WPTZ) — March marks Women’s History Month, and it is also Women in Construction Week. It’s a national celebration, recognizing women working in the trades and encouraging more people to explore careers in the industry.
Construction has traditionally been seen as a male-dominated field. Across Vermont, more women are entering the trade and expanding what opportunities in this industry can look like.
Megan Holcomb is a construction lead for an alternative high school called YouthBuild.
“Whenever there’s an opportunity that you can take that seems too big, too bold, too scary — it’s about like taking that and just seeing where you go and finding help along the way,” said Holcomb.
When she is not teaching, she is known as Miss Lake Champlain, a contestant for Miss Vermont. She uses her platform to promote trades education.
Companies across Vermont are marking Women in Construction Week, including PC Construction in South Burlington.
“Being able to see the progression of more women being in and around the industry and more younger women, feeling a little bit more comfortable,” said Olivia Costin, chair of The National Association of Women in Construction Chapter 395 WIC Week.
Leaders said that while progress is happening, women still make up a small percentage of the industry, and some have seen bias firsthand.
“He called out that I was a woman trying to prove myself, saying, ‘Sorry, sweetie, this isn’t going to happen.’ I had to take a deep breath and say, ‘Look, my gender has nothing to do with this conversation,'” said Anne Minor, president of NAWIC Chapter 395.
They said support from co-workers has made the difference and that they hope to share that with even more women.
“It’s not just a man’s industry. Women’s percentage is slowly climbing,” said Karen Deutscher, vice president of NAWIC Chapter 395.
For Holcomb, that momentum is exactly what she hopes the next generation sees.
“It’s not I want to be like you. It’s how can we bring these worlds together to mesh? And it’s working,” she said.
Leaders said events like Women in Construction Week are about visibility and making sure anyone interested in the trades knows there is a place for them.
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