'Crushing stereotypes:' Women filling job shortages in construction industry

The construction industry is going through a major change as a rising number of women join the field. Several companies and organizations are celebrating Women-in-Construction Week to honor their positive impact.

"My dad raised me with tools in my hands," said Cheryl Casatelli, an assistant superintendent with the Samet Corporation. She's recognized for her helmet full of stickers with phrases like "Crushing Stereotypes" and "Be Savage, Not Average."

"I love working. I love being hands-on. I love being around other people who are like minded," said Casatelli.

During the Women in Construction Week celebration, the National Association of Women in Construction, or NAWIC, recognized their rise in the industry.

Overall, women make up about 10% of construction related jobs. Women in the Samet corporation almost double that number, comprising 19% of Samet’s workforce in the Carolinas and Georgia.

Samet’s regional safety manager Ken Thomas said, "The companies that got on board and saw the benefit that this part of the workforce could be, we’ve got the edge right now. And like any other endeavor in life, if what you’re doing works, other people will follow your lead."

"Honestly, this is a dream come true for me," said Nora Spencer, founder and CEO of Hope Renovations. She says with the current building boom in the Triangle, more women are helping to shrink the current job gap.

She added, "You know it’s funny that it took a pandemic to make folks realize there’s and entire gender missing from this workforce."

Women now pursue a variety of job opportunities in the industry and many like Castelli say the pay is good. "This is an industry where you make very good money. I’m a single mom with two boys and we live very comfortably," said Castelli.

There are many construction related jobs that don’t require working on a construction site with hard hats, according to Stephany Connelly. She is director of strategic partnerships with Covenant Solar and Roofing and south Atlantic region director for NAWIC.

She said, "Women that you see here today, they, most of them, are leaders within their organizations which is just awesome to see. And we have something to offer that maybe our male counterparts don’t."

WWomen in Construction Week spans from Sunday March 6 through Friday, March 12.