Lydia Burns
There’s a gap in the industry. Few people are doing more to fill that gap than Lydia Burns.
Lydia is known as a senior manager with Allied Construction Industries, a trade group that works on advocacy, networking, and solutions for a variety of parties within the construction industry. Last time we met with Lydia, we discussed her work with K-12 programs that familiarize students with various aspects of construction. Today, we talk about her ambitious work with She Builds a division of ACI that focuses on increasing the number of women in the construction industry.
Only 9% of the skilled trade workers within the construction industry are female. This under-representation is the result of everything from corporate hiring practices to parents’ messages to their children. Lydia and the She Builds team work strategically to increase construction interest among women. Here are a few things they do:
Address specific reasons that high school girls give for not pursuing a career in construction,
Address academic concerns (particularly math),
Recruit and train adult women who are shifting careers,
Work with everyone from students to executives in an effort to break down stereotypes.
We ask Lydia how guys in construction make the field more appealing to women. Here are some of her thoughts:
Avoid offering them help unless they clearly need it.
Shut down your inner diner waitress. In other words, don’t call them “honey” or “sweetie.”
Talk to women in the industry and ask them for ideas.
Papa Eddie (father of three girls) raises a few concerns. Lydia (second of three daughters) addresses them:
Empower your daughter. If you see that she has STEM skills and interest, foster that interest.
Remind yourself that there is a diverse range of jobs within the construction industry–and not all of them involve carrying bundles of shingles up a ladder.
Seek to increase the possibilities rather than reduce them.
Involve them in your construction projects–both around the house and at work.
Lydia’s megaphone (her second time): Start having the conversation in your company and your area. Women can do this work. We’re out there.
Learn more about Lydia and her company: Lydia’s LinkedIn - ACI - She Builds
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