Only one in 20 skilled laborers are women — a recent summit discussed this gap and practical solutions to help close it as experts anticipate 1.4 – 2.1 million unfilled skilled labor jobs by 2030.
The annual State of the Majority Summit was hosted by Engage, an organization that promotes women’s economic security. Several panels throughout the day spotlighted the role of women in skilled labor and the importance of their union membership.
Cindy Goff, Vice President of Supplemental and Group Insurance at the American Council of Life Insurers moderated a panel with Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), and Secretary Jessica Looman of the Virginia Department of Labor where they discussed the role of apprenticeships, early educational focus on availability of skilled trade opportunities, and partnerships with labor unions in helping bring and keep more workers into skilled trades. Dr. Lynn Shaw of WINTER and IBEW, Iliana Flores of Teamsters, Ariane Hegewisch of IWPR and Lark Jackson of Chicago Women in Trades also discussed corporate partnerships like Teamsters’ partnership with United Airlines training new workers, how women in skilled trades are positively impacted by benefits like paid family leave and disability income insurance, and state legislative initiatives supporting women in the worksite.
In a later session, Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) spotlighted the important role of women in helping bring to life one of his key legislative accomplishments, the Chips and Sciences Act. “We can’t build ships and we can’t build chips without women involved,” he said.
Investment in pre-apprenticeships and skills training, jobsite accommodations, networks and mentorship, and advancement opportunities all improve recruitment and retention of women in these roles.
This consensus echoed through the day – “Jobs do not have genders.”
