Over the last few years, the construction industry has seen an increase in female employees in the field and the office. Men have typically dominated the industry. However, women are breaking down barriers and finding ways to close the gender gap.
The industry offers many opportunities for women. From working on a jobsite or in a shop, to supervising staff, leading departments, or running their own construction companies, women are essential contributors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the construction industry will add about 400,000 new jobs from 2020-2030, which will allow for growth and advancement for anyone seeking a career in the industry.
Despite the vast opportunities the construction industry offers, many companies worry about the ongoing labor shortage issues. Many people on the field are reaching retirement age, and there’s a deficit of young skilled workers ready to take their place. In addition, construction firms compete with other rising industries like healthcare, technology and engineering for younger workers. Trade-specific apprenticeship programs are finding creative ways to connect younger generations to career paths outside of the four-year college route and helping K-12 schools promote it with programs like welding and infusing STEM with construction education.
Women can take on any role in the construction industry and hold titles like architect, administrator, or project manager. Whether they’re wearing a hard hat or keeping things running behind the scenes, women bring value to the jobsite and the office with fresh perspectives. However, they are underrepresented in trade and executive positions. Statistics show that just under 87% of women working in construction hold office positions, and only about 2.5% of tradespeople are women. Women also only make up about 14% of staff executive and 7% of line executive positions.
Organizations like Transportation & Construction Girl are taking the lead in reaching young women before their last few years in high school to demonstrate the value they can have in the industry. As the construction industry looks for solutions to the growing workforce shortage problem, recruiting women appears to be one of the most viable and necessary to ensure long-term industry progress.
RK takes pride in fostering an environment that encourages men and women alike to learn from one another and strive for excellence in their craft, whether in the shop, a jobsite or in the office. The future is bright for young men and women looking to pursue a career in construction!
Written by Ileana Morales
How Women in Construction are Breaking Barriers in 2021, accessed March 4, 2022, Buildertrend
Women in Construction, accessed March 4, 2022, New England Institute of Technology
Women in Construction: The State of the Industry in 2022, accessed March 4, 2022, BigRentz, Inc.
How to Adapt to the Skilled Labor Shortage in Construction, accessed March 4, 2022, Propeller Aero
By: RK Energy
Modular facilities and skidded equipment are manufactured and assembled indoors, at a fabrication facility, affording companies the opportunity to produce high-quality units while decreasing costs and often accelerating the project schedule. Organizations are increasingly innovating their construction and procurement processes by purchasing modular, mobile, prefabricated facilities and equipment.
Save Time and Money
Equipment is contained within a modular facility or skidded frame that allows it to be easily transported. Individual skids can house complete systems, or multiple skids may be combined to create larger modules. In cases where there are logistical constraints, large modules are split into multiple pre-assembled units that are interconnected at the site.
An Alternative to Traditional Construction
System parts can be shipped individually and installed on-site as needed. Because the systems are built off-site in a fabrication facility, improvements can be completed at the plant site simultaneously. Skidded process systems provide several advantages over traditional construction process systems:
Portability: Units are self-contained within frames, making it easier for them to be transported. Systems can be moved to another location as needed.
Space Saving: Custom frames allow equipment layering. All of the necessary equipment is able to fit into a smaller area.
Accessibility: Skids often contain a hallway in the center with the larger pieces of hardware placed around the periphery.
Better Organization: Skids are organized into one area at the site, making on-site connections easier.
Off-site Assembly: Skids are built in controlled conditions at a fabrication facility. Operations taking place at the plant are not affected by the new system fabrication.
Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT): Testing is completed before systems are shipped. Equipment is ready to be used immediately upon delivery reducing startup time.
Maintain Productivity: Skidded systems allow facilities to remain functioning while maintenance is being performed.
Quality Control: There is a higher level of responsibility and quality control when a single party is responsible for the construction and installation of skidded equipment.
If you are interested in learning more about the advantages of modular facilities and skid-mounted equipment or systems, or if you would like a free project consultation, please contact us at rkenergy@rkindustries.com.
By: RK Energy
The number of industries tapping into the advanced methodology of custom fabricated off-site constructed products and facilities are revolutionizing the way they are being built world-wide. From horticulture to data centers, housing and healthcare, prefabrication is a hot topic. This progression proves that regardless of the industry, companies continue to battle the same monsters: producing superior products, lowering costs and increasing productivity. These universal industry challenges make modular manufacturing and construction the golden ticket in which companies are willing to invest.
WHY IS MODULAR BETTER?
Modular and skidded buildings are built to last. These facilities are constructed in controlled conditions and engineered to comply with building codes and industry standards. Off-site construction projects are easier to manage and prefabrication eliminates the risks of building a facility on-site in unpredictable conditions. This gives companies the power to build any type of facility they need.
To learn more about RK’s robust prefabrication abilities, contact RK Energy at rkenergy@rkindustries.com.