Department of Labor Awards $1.8 mil in WANTO Grants -2010

News Release
WB News Release: [06/14/2010]
Contact Name: Jennifer Kaplan or Lina Garcia
Phone Number: (202)693-5052 or x4661
Release Number: 10-0817-NAT

US Department of Labor announces $1.8 million in grants to support women in non-traditional occupations

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a total of $1.8 million in funding to six organizations in California, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania as part of the Women in Apprenticeship and Non-traditional Occupations Grants program. The awards will support partnerships between the grantees and currently existing Registered Apprenticeship programs to ensure that women have training opportunities and career support to succeed in non-traditional occupations in growing sectors of the economy.

"Women always have been critical members of our nation's workforce system, and today's grants are recognition of the need for more talented women to enter into occupations in non-traditional and lucrative industries," said Sara Manzano-Díaz, director of the Labor Department's Women's Bureau. "These funds will provide women with valuable training opportunities by connecting them with established Registered Apprenticeship programs that are focused on preparing female workers for successful long-term careers."

Through these projects, women will be trained for careers in numerous non-traditional fields such as construction and manufacturing. Educational opportunities will support preparation for numerous occupations including: carpenter, cement-mason, construction laborer, electrician, machinist and mechanic, operating engineer, painter/plasterer, plumber and welder. In some cases, women will have the chance to receive U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifications. In other instances, women will be able to attend mentoring and networking programs and receive job placement advice.

Today's grants are awarded to community-based organizations that form a consortium and partner with at least one Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor. These grants are jointly administered by the Labor Department's Women's Bureau and its Employment and Training Administration's Office of Apprenticeship.

The six grantees and amounts awarded are listed below. Visit http://www.doleta.gov to learn more.

Grantee Location Award Amount

Chicago Women in Trades Chicago, Ill. $300,000
Nontraditional Employment for Women New York, N.Y. $300,000
Pennsylvania Women Work Pittsburgh, Pa. $300,000
State Emergency Response Systems Inc. Los Angeles, Calif. $300,000
United Communities Against Poverty Inc. Capitol Heights, Md. $300,000
YWCA of Greater Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio $300,000

Conference Call Audio Files
Conference Call with Women's Bureau Director Sara Manzano-Díaz: [MP3]

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/wb/wb20100817.htm

Walsh gives boost to Woman Contractor who gives boost to Tradeswomen

Subcontractor gets boost to contractor

POSTED: Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 04:11 PM PT
BY: Justin Carinci
Tags: Great Kate! Construction, Walsh Construction

Walsh Construction is helping build the skills of small contractor Great Kate Construction, letting it serve as general contractor on the Celilo Court Apartments renovation. The experience will allow Great Kate to bid million-dollar-plus projects as a general contractor. (Photo by Dan Carter/DJC)

Kathryn Merritt had remodeled enough homes that the Celilo Court Apartments project didn’t scare her. “I could do these buildings in my sleep,” she said.

However, Merritt, owner of Great Kate Construction, hadn’t counted on the paperwork and administrative hoops required in public contracting, “I’m going to print up my own MBA when this job’s done,” she said.

Great Kate is general contractor for that 28-unit apartment complex overhaul in Northeast Portland, worth more than $1 million.

The project came from a unique arrangement between Walsh Constructionand Great Kate. Walsh won a contract with the Housing Authority of Portland to serve as construction manager-general contractor on five apartment complex remodel jobs.

For one of those, Celilo Court, Walsh turned the project over to Great Kate. It’s a vote of confidence, said Dan Snow, senior project manager for Walsh; he knows his company’s reputation with the housing authority is on the line.

“We’re ultimately responsible for everything on the project,” Snow said. “They know they can come back to us on anything.

“We hold (Great Kate) to pretty high standards - the same standards we’re held to,” he said.

Great Kate has done the type of work on the project - new floors, furnaces, water heaters, kitchens - many times. “It’s not a huge construction leap for her,” Snow said. “Administrative, yes. Construction-wise, it’s not too far out of her box.”

Walsh has twice worked with small contractors like Great Kate, helping them develop skills so they can grow from subcontractor to general contractor. When she’s done with Celilo Court, Merritt can bid as a general contractor on housing authority or other projects, which she plans to do.

Kathryn Merritt, owner of Great Kate Construction, discusses work at the Celilo Court Apartments project in Northeast Portland. (Photo by Dan Carter/DJC)

That puts Walsh in the position of boosting companies that will compete against Walsh for projects. “That is a concern,” Snow said. “But giving smaller companies, target businesses, minority- and women-owned companies the opportunity to succeed … more than outweighs the risks of having them compete against us.”

For the Celilo Court project, Merritt considers herself as much of a mentor as a mentee. “Because we have work and other people don’t, we have a responsibility to share it,” she said.

Merritt hired out-of-work contractors and sought to make sure her subcontractors use a diverse workforce. She also pays special attention to apprentices, ensuring they have opportunities to grow.

Carrie Davis, an apprentice carpenter for the Celilo Court project, said female apprentices at other jobs get stuck doing cleanup or driving trucks. “I talk to my friends and they always say, ‘I’m the only woman on the job,’ ” Davis said.

“That’s never the case here.”

Merritt, who started working as a carpenter in 1979, still resists pigeonholing. She wants to do good work, period, and not just good work for a minority-, woman- and emerging-small-business firm.

“I don’t really want to be known as a really good MWESB contractor, just like I never wanted to be known as a really good female carpenter,” she said. “We don’t need that diminutive attached to what we do.”

Part of Merritt’s training goal is to encourage talented tradeswomen to be vocal. “I have to teach them to speak up and be assertive, to say ‘Hey! I’ve got the other end of something.’ ”

Another piece is making connections. “Who you know socially affects who you can get a job from,” Merritt said.

She first connected with Walsh by meeting one of the company’s carpenters on a Habitat for Humanity job. That led to a house remodel job, and eventually Celilo Court.

Doing good work and going through established channels isn’t always enough, Merritt said. Some contractors prequalify for agency lists, register as MWESB firms and still don’t get work.

“Some of these things aren’t as valuable as taking the project manager out for a beer,” she said.

http://djcoregon.com/news/2010/04/22/subcontractor-gets-boost-to-contractor/

United Brotherhood of Carpenters announces the 3rd UBC Women's Conference June 17-20, 2010

Download the Registration Form (PDF – 56kb).

The official website for the 2010 UBC Women's Conference is ubcsisters.org

Women’s Conference to Celebrate ‘Breaking New Ground’

All female UBC members are invited to the 2010 Sisters in the Brotherhood conference, June 17 – 20, at the International Training Center in Las Vegas.

With ‘Breaking New Ground’ as its theme, the conference will be a chance for UBC women to share their own experiences while learning about the union’s groundbreaking work in organizing, political action, training and cultivating new leaders.

Conference co-chairs are UBC Representatives JoAnn Williams of the St. Louis Missouri District Council, and Liz Skidmore of the New England Regional Council.

Steering Committee

Back (L to R): Isabelle DiJeau, Bobbie Whitmore, Kina McAfee, Barb Pecks, Mary Ellen Renz, Marcia Gonzalez, Elly Spicer
Front (L to R): T Vincent, Rocky Hwasta, Liz Skidmore, JoAnn Williams, Cathy Pike

http://ubcsisters.org/contact/

Las Vegas or Bust: Help send a UBC Sister to the 2010 UBC Women's Conference

http://www.sistersinthebrotherhood.info

Minnesota Stadiums’ construction meets minority and female workforce participation goals

Stadiums’ construction workforces mostly White — but less so than usual

BY CHARLES HALLMAN, MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER

January 13, 2010

The University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Twins and others have been aggressively promoting the "workforce diversity" achieved in the construction of both the Gophers' football stadium, which opened last fall, and the Twins' stadium, which is expected to open in March this year. Both stadium projects together involved hundreds of millions of dollars in construction costs, much of it public funds.

M.A. Mortenson Construction was the general contractor for both stadiums and claimed in November that they exceeded their workforce diversity goals in building the two stadiums. They stated that 41-percent minority and female workforce participation was achieved on the U of M stadium project, exceeding the 31-percent goal.

They also stated that approximately 32-percent minority and female workforce participation has been achieved on the Twins ballpark project as of October 2009, exceeding a 30-percent goal.

When asked how many Blacks worked on both projects, Mortenson spokeswoman Lynn Littlejohn said that the construction industry standard, along with federal guidelines, mandates that workforce goals are shown in percentages rather than in the actual number of workers. Furthermore, "Goals are expressed in work hours, which is a truer representation of the diversity of the workforce, as opposed to saying the number of bodies on the site," Littlejohn explained.

However, these percentages provided for the general category "minority" did not enable the MSR to determine the level of participation by African American workers and businesses. We insisted on and later received from Mortenson a specific ethnicity breakdown of work hours on both projects:
• Gophers' stadium - Mortenson reports 1.2 million total workforce hours; 183,025 total minority hours. Ethnicity breakdown: 37 percent Black (67,719 hours); 27 percent Hispanic (49,417 hours); 27 percent Native American (49,417 hours); and nine percent Asian (16,472 hours).
• Twins' stadium (through October 2009) - Mortenson reports 1.9 million total workforce hours; 503,000 total minority hours. Ethnicity breakdown: 37 percent Black (186,110 hours); 27 percent Hispanic (135,810 hours); 27 percent Native American (135,810 hours) and nine percent Asian (45,270 hours).
However, these percentages show only the proportion of each ethnic group's participation within the "minority hours" subcategory rather than as a proportion of the "total workforce hours." Our calculations of the proportion of each group's work as a percentage of the whole, including White workers, showed quite different levels of participation:
• Gophers' stadium: 1.2 million total workforce hours; 183,025 total minority hours (15 percent of total). Ethnicity breakdown: Black (67,719 hours - 5.6 percent of total); Hispanic (49,417 hours - 4.1 percent of total); Native American (49,417 hours - 4.1 percent of total); and Asian (16,472 hours - 1.4 percent of total).
• Twins' stadium (through October 2009): 1.9 million total workforce hours; 503,000 total minority hours (26.5 percent of total). Ethnicity breakdown: Black (186,110 hours - 9.8 percent of total); Hispanic (135,810 hours - 7.2 percent of total); Native American (135,810 hours - 7.2 percent of total) and Asian (45,270 hours - 2.4 percent).

This analysis shows, then, that 85 percent of the work building the new Gophers' stadium and 73.5 percent of the work building the new Twins' stadium has been done by White workers. Black workers did 5.6 percent of the work on the Gophers' stadium and have done 9.8 percent of the work on the Twins' stadium thus far, based on Mortenson's numbers.

Our analysis raised additional questions about the percentages and work hours provided by Mortenson. It seems unlikely that all four groups would have contributed exactly the same labor proportionately on two separate projects: percentages of 37/27/27/9 were given for Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asians respectively on both stadiums.

It seems even more unlikely that on both projects Hispanics and Native Americans contributed exactly the same number of work hours - 135,810 each for the Twins' stadium and 49,417 each for the Gophers' stadium. We received the following explanation of these oddities from Mortenson Marketing Manager Lynette Todd:

"We tracked minority hours by ethnicity for Target Field [the Twins' stadium] due to the public meetings held on a monthly basis throughout construction. Since the scopes of work between the two projects were similar in many cases, we estimated the same percentages for TCF Bank Stadium [the Gophers' stadium]. That is the explanation for the similarity in numbers for between the two projects. Again, because it is not standard industry practice to track minority hours by ethnicity it is difficult to provide the exact numbers you are searching for."

In other words, minority participation in the Gophers' stadium project was not tracked by specific ethnic groups, so Mortenson guessed at those numbers based on participation in the Twins' stadium project.

Also last November, Mortenson recognized 24 subcontractors who helped the company in meeting and exceeding workforce diversity goals on the two stadium projects. Contract sizes reportedly ranged from $2,000 to $5 million on the Gophers site, and $99 million in subcontracted work was awarded through October on the Twins stadium site.

"We were looking at firms who worked a significant amount of hours, who would impact the participation," said Littlejohn, adding that with the exception of four, all the firms were White-owned. "We established small, minority- and women-owned goals for each bid package that we put out, and that was part of the evaluation and selection criteria."

Asked to identify the ethnicity of the four non-White subcontractors, Littlejohn would only repeat that they are "minority-owned." The MSR has been able to identify only one as a Native American-owned firm.

Todd later informed us that "Mortenson has researched several lists published online through the State of Minnesota for small women-and minority-owned firms. In most cases, we could not pinpoint the firm's ethnicity since the primary focus of the lists is to identify businesses by small, women- or minority-owned status. We would not be able to provide accurate statistics through these lists."

Again, we were concerned that this lack of specificity beyond the general category "minority" would not enable the MSR to determine the level of participation, if any, by African American contractors. We took our concerns to two of Minnesota's highest ranking Black elected officials. Both expressed dissatisfaction over our inability to obtain accurate, ethnic-specific involvement on the two stadium projects.

"I don't why it is so hard to find that information," said State Rep. Bobby Champion. "They [Mortenson] know who it is, [whether] woman, Black, or [other] person of color. I don't know why it appears to be that difficult. It is something that I will take a look at and see if they are not complying...and how we can make sure that information is more readily available."

"I find it somewhat troubling that for a publicly funded, publicly financed stadium we have a lack of transparency on whom and where state taxpayer dollars went to," said State Rep. Jeff Hayden. "This is troubling to me and it is something I would be willing to look at and investigate."

Mortenson should be applauded if diversity hiring goals are met, Champion believes. "If firms are doing their goals and exceeding them, we want them to be applauded. We want to make sure that they are intentionally making sure that the quality of lives of people of color and women are being improved by their ability to get out and work on these publicly funded projects."

Finally, the state legislator pledges, "We need to intentionally make sure that there is inclusion. There are people of color and women who are able to do the work, and that work ought to be utilized both on public and privately funded projects."

Summit Academy OIC Executive Director Louis King said that he was involved with Mortenson in setting diversity hiring goals. "It wasn't pretty when we first got started," he recalled. Yet, he applauded the company "for the reports that they developed to support [workforce diversity].

"The biggest thing they did, and what we are trying to get adopted as an industry standard, is take the project [and divide it] by phase, subcontractor, trade, and project out what the minority hiring needs would be."

Mortenson and King's school have worked together to place his students on construction sites after their training is completed, he said. Over 70 percent of Summit Academy students are Black. "They complied," King said of Mortenson's workforce diversity claims.

King added that the community must be more involved in large-scale construction projects from start to finish. "We can't just have the planners get in the room and not give any thought on who gets the money. It is our responsibility as a community to understand the industry standard and identify, recruit, train and provide people who can meet those standards."

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-re corder.com.

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2010/01/13/stadiums’-construction-workforces-mostly-white-—-less-so-usual

Carpenters Recruit Apprentices -ROCK TAVERN, NY

• Carpenters Recruit Apprentices
• by New York State Department of Labor
• 
  

ROCK TAVERN, NY (12/01/2009)(readMedia)-- The Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee Local Union #19 will conduct a recruitment from December 1, 2009 through November 30, 2010 for five carpenter apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today.

Applications must apply in person at Local Union #19, 52 Stone Castle Road, Rock Tavern, NY, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period.

The Committee requires that applicants:

• Be at least 17 years old.
• Be a high school graduate or have a general equivalency diploma (G.E.D.) as recognized by local school authorities-transcript required from the school.
• Be physically able to perform the work required as determined by the Carpenters Apprenticeship School.
• Must be a resident of Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan or Ulster counties for at least six months and provide proof of residency.
• Must have reliable transportation to and from various job sites and Joint Apprentice Committee School.
• Must take an employment drug test at an approved facility at the committee's expense.
• Be willing to join the union and sign and comply with an indenture agreement if accepted for the program.
• Must take Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee Entry Math Test.

For further information, applicants should contact their nearest New York State Department of Labor office or may contact the Local Union #19 at 845-567-1810.

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

####

http://readme.readmedia.com/Carpenters-Recruit-Apprentices/989703

Newsmaker of the day: Woman to be honored as first generation of Connecticut tradeswomen

Norwich Bulletin
Posted May 02, 2009 @ 10:59 PM

In the news: Katherine Marceau of Norwich is one of 19 women who will be honored May 16 in an event recognizing the first generation of Connecticut tradeswomen to reach retirement age.


Katherine Marceau

Background: Marceau, 54, was born and raised in Norwich. She graduated from Norwich Free Academy, started working in a paper box factory after high school and ultimately became a carpenter at Electric Boat. She completes 32 years there in May. Over the years, she’s built stages for other workers, installed soundproofing material and put insulation in submarines.

A man’s world: Marceau was 5 feet 1 inch tall and 105 pounds when she started working at EB. There were few female carpenters there at the time. “And it was hard, because some of the men just really didn’t want you there. But as a woman you’re trying to make your way,” she said. She said she came home in tears some nights, but she also had drive. “It got my competitive nature going. I did have a few battles with men. But by the time I was done, they did prefer to work with me.” The backing of her union, Local 1302 helped, she said.

The award: The event, called “Thirty years and Still Building: Connecticut’s Groundbreaking Women Celebrate Their Lives in the Trades,” is sponsored by the Connecticut State Building Trades, the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women and the Carpenter’s Union. It will be at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn in Wallingford and will feature a documentary video interviewing the women. The Connecticut State Building Trades Council includes 17 trade unions in Connecticut. The Permanent Commission on the Status of Women is an arm of the Connecticut General Assembly.

Quotable: “I’m really honored,” Marceau said. “When I got called, I almost fainted. I just thought of myself as a woman in a shipyard. I didn’t think it would be such a big thing.”


http://www.wickedlocal.com/norwich/lifeevents/achievements/x342377968/Newsmaker-of-the-day-Woman-to-be-honored-as-first-generation-of-Connecticut-tradeswomen

State is seeking the modern Rosie the Riveter

By Susan Abram, Staff Writer
Updated: 03/15/2009 08:11:11 PM PDT


BEVERLY HILLS - Martha Hernandez builds her future with cement and stone, nails and drill bits, lumber and steel.

Today, she is doing finishing work on French doors at the tony Beverly Hills Montage hotel. Someday, she will make homes and construct skyscrapers.

"I remember looking at buildings and saying, `I want to build that one day," said Hernandez, a 29-year-old Reseda resident and first-year carpenter's apprentice. "This is the only kind of work I love."

That's the sentiment state officials want to hear more of, especially now, as the average age of California's construction worker hits 47.

Retirements of existing workers loom just as federal stimulus money to repair the state's roads and highways, levies and dams, schools and government buildings, becomes available in the next few years.

That means the supply of carpenters, iron workers, equipment operators and masons won't meet the demand unless 200,000 apprentices are in the pipeline.

So a state campaign called ibuiltit.org has aimed its message at mothers, daughters and sisters, hoping to boost the 4 percent share women now have in California construction.

World War II gave the nation Rosie the Riveter. So why, some ask, can't the 21st century have Bridget the Bridge Builder?

"We wanted to target women because the building construction trade is a viable career," said Renee Bacchini, assistant to the chief at the Division of Apprenticeship Standards in the Department of Industrial Relations.

Bacchini produced a gender neutral television commercial last year that first aired in Fresno, but has been spotted recently on Los Angeles stations. The commercial features women of varying ages and races, affirming their decision to enter the construction field.

While some public works funds have been suspended and work stoppages have impacted apprenticeship programs, Bacchini said it's a good time for women to get into training programs. The paycheck is pretty good, she said. An apprentice earns about 50 percent - anywhere from $12 to $20 an hour - of what a journeyman's wages are.

But the challenge isn't just luring women into apprenticeship programs. It's keeping them there.

From January 1999 to January 2009, the number of women in construction increased just 11 percent nationally, according to figures by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That relatively small increase, some say, is due in part to harassment on the job or male supervisors who remain skeptical about hiring women. Finding child care also remains tough. Workers who have to be at sites at 5 or 6 a.m. often can't find places that accept their sons or daughters.

"When Rosie the Riveter came in, she was needed so badly. There were no men to push her out," said Kristyan Kouri, a professor of sociology, gender and women's studies at California State University, Northridge.

Kouri said some men think of their jobs as a "men's only" club much like fraternities or sports teams. As a result, they may become angry when women enter their "male sphere" and attempt to force them out.

"Many men have been taught all of their life to believe that they are innately more suited than women to work in fields like construction," Kouri said. "Seeing a woman who can do the job just as well as they can may be very threatening to their masculinity.

"Even though we've come forward in the last 40 years, we still have those sexist beliefs," she said. "Men may love a woman as a wife and sex partner, but they don't want them wherever they go."

That perception needs to change - and fast, said Pat McGinn, director for the Southwest Carpenters Training Fund.

"I believe we are approaching a crisis among the trades," McGinn said. "We have ignored the other half of the labor force, and I don't think we can afford to ignore them any longer."

McGinn said even though the employment sector has sputtered, there won't be enough apprentices once the economy stabilizes.

He agreed that society's perception of "women's work" is partly to blame.

"Among those women that come in, very few make it through the apprenticeship," McGinn said. "Given the choice, a man will hire a man over the woman. You've got co-workers who believe women don't belong there. It's still part of our culture."

That's why he and creators of the ibuiltit.org campaign plan to take their messages into the schools.

"It's a little bit unrealistic to devalue some of our most precious jobs that include doing work with your hands and getting dirty," Bacchini said. "It's not just going to work with a tool belt. You have the opportunity to own your own business, go up to foreman or superintendent."

In recent years, more women are being seen on home improvement television programs, but enrollment in classes continues to dwindle, said Jamie Robison an educational services coordinator for the Southwestern Carpenters Training Fund. Robison, who worked her way up as an apprentice to go on into millwright work as a supervisor, said Los Angeles' first construction expo in May will feature many women who own businesses.

Meanwhile, there are still women like Hernandez, who said she just wanted to follow in her father's footsteps. He worked construction, everything from framing and remodeling, to installing tiles and brick laying.

"I used to say, Come on, Papi, take me with you," Hernandez said. He refused until her mother persuaded him otherwise.

Hernandez said she once quit the work she loves so much because of harassment by male co-workers. But she joined the Carpenters Union Local 209 in Sylmar and returned to job sites, tool box in hand.

Not all the guys are receptive, she said, but she doesn't pay attention to negativity.

"I don't know what they think about me," she said, as she continued sanding one of the elaborate doors of the ritzy hotel.

Co-worker Rafael Ramirez said some of the men are learning to accept women at sites, but it's a slow process.

"Some guys are afraid she's going to take their job away," he said. "I say if she has the capacity, why not?"

Hernandez said carpentry is how she expresses herself.

"It's hard out there," she said. "But I'm not afraid of anything. This work puts food on the table."


http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_11921437

First Woman-Run Transportation Construction Project Ahead of Schedule

Posted: Feb 26, 2009 07:29 PM CST

Updated: March 2, 2009 11:01 AM CST

SEE VIDEO: Women in Top Construction Jobs, ALL WOMEN MANAGEMENT TEAM

Nampa, Idaho -- The Franklin Bridge is a first for Idaho, a transportation construction project being led by women. On site, Kadee Porter is the project manager overseeing demolition, road widening and rebuilding.

"The best part of my job is seeing something get built from the ground up. Something that's going to benefit the public. Something that's going to stand for many, many years," said Porter.

She's part of a small minority of women working in the top levels of construction, where females typically make up less than 10 percent of the entire industry's workforce.

"I enjoy working outside. I love being out in the elements. I can handle the cold, the heat. I'm tough," said Porter.

And she's not alone. Jamee Coonce oversees the entire bridge project for the Idaho Transportation Department.

"It's not all math and science. It's fun. You do interact, you get to see what happens in the field, what happens on paper," said Coonce.

The project manager handling design is also a female. Creating a once in a lifetime opportunity for these pros who normally work mainly with men.

"Having the project management part of this project, from the ground up, led by women is unique because there are so few women," said Coonce.

The group hopes this is just the first of many woman-run projects and others will realize they can do it too.

"The word should get out that these career possibilities exist for women out there," said June Sparks, ITD's spokesperson.

With stimulus money flowing into Idaho, these leader's goal is to get the word out and see others like themselves join all the men who are lining up to take the new jobs that will be created.

"You know there's opportunities for women in all aspects of this field. Anything a woman's interested in, there's a job for her," said Porter.

The Franklin Bridge project is currently running three months ahead of schedule, which is very unusual.

The Idaho Transportation Department considers itself a very progressive agency. On its website, there are numerous tools aimed at helping more women get involved in its work, such as scholarships that make it possible to go back to school for an engineering degree.

http://www.fox12news.com/Global/story.asp?S=9914617

Lowe's sponsors National Women Build Week

Lowe's Pledges $20 Million to Habitat For Humanity International
03/04/2009


ATLANTA -- Habitat for Humanity International announced last week that Lowe's is extending its ongoing commitment to Habitat's affordable-housing work across the country with a new five-year, $20 million commitment.



"We realize our help in building affordable housing and promoting safe, secure communities is more relevant than ever," said Robert A. Niblock, Lowe's chairman and CEO. "As an organization committed to improving the communities we call home, we believe that extending our partnership with Habitat for Humanity will help these communities continue to address the tremendous need for affordable housing."



Lowe's new commitment to Habitat through 2013 will bring the company's aggregate Habitat contributions since 2003 to nearly $40 million. With the renewed commitment, Lowe's will continue to underwrite Habitat's Women Build program, a national volunteer movement encouraging women to learn construction skills and make a difference by building homes and helping to end poverty housing. This includes sponsorship of "National Women Build Week," a nationwide homebuilding initiative leading up to Mother's Day, and funding for a variety of build projects across the country.



Through 2008, Lowe's has supported nearly 1,500 Habitat houses built or renovated in the United States with grants ranging in size from $1,000 to $50,000. Additionally, Lowe's is one of Habitat's largest disaster-relief donors, contributing nearly $3 million domestically to Gulf Coast Recovery and internationally to Habitat's Asian Tsunami recovery effort.



Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, emphasized that the effects of Lowe's support go beyond the funding contributed and houses built.

"The generous contributions of our partners have a financial impact that goes well beyond the construction and renovation of homes," Reckford said. "Every time Lowe's helps Habitat—with funding or by sharing their expertise at an in-store clinic or through countless employee volunteer hours on the build site—those efforts create a ripple effect that is felt throughout the entire local community. New construction always inspires hope. Lowe's generosity will bless untold numbers of people, especially during these difficult times."


http://www.buildingonline.com/news/viewnews.pl?id=7953&subcategory=96

Women in Construction Week to be Celebrated Across the United States

National Association of Women in Construction will hold events March 1-7th
across honoring the contributions women make to the construction industry.

Fort Worth, TX (PRWEB) February 22, 2009 -- Women in Construction (WIC) Week will be celebrated March 1-7 by more than 100 chapters of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). NAWIC exists to enhance the success of women in the construction industry.

WIC Week provides a unified time for more than 5,500 NAWIC members to raise awareness of the opportunities the construction industry holds for potential employees and to highlight women as a visible, growing force in the industry.

Construction presents one of the few growing, well-paying careers in the United States that hires from high-school graduates to Ph.D.s

Women can build a career in the construction industry and advance by continuing their education. The emerging trend is women starting their own companies.

Our members reflect a cross section of industry segments and skill sets from business owners and executives to tradeswomen. The common link that shines through is passion for their chosen trade.

"Construction presents one of the few growing, well-paying careers in the United States that hires from high-school graduates to Ph.D.s," says Dede Hughes, NAWIC Executive Vice President. "Women can build a career in the construction industry and advance by continuing their education. The emerging trend is women starting their own companies."

A broad range of activities will be employed to spread NAWIC members' passion for working in construction. Award banquets, membership drives, community service projects and hands-on workshops will be conducted from coast to coast - all designed to promote construction and the value of women's contributions to the industry.

"Women have broken in to the construction industry and have gained depth and influence. In 2007, women accounted for nine percent of construction workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics with women-owned firms seeing a consistent gain year over year," said Julie Lyssy, NAWIC Marketing Director. "Our members reflect a cross section of industry segments and skill sets from business owners and executives to tradeswomen. The common link that shines through is passion for their chosen trade."

Anyone interested in participating in events with a local chapter is welcome to contact the NAWIC Office at (800) 552-3506 to get more information about events in your area.

About the National Association of Women in Construction

Founded in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1955, NAWIC is an international Association serving more than 5,500 members in approximately 160 chapters in the United States. NAWIC also has affiliates in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and United Kingdom. To learn more about NAWIC, visit the NAWIC Web site.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb2136684.htm

Women carpenters help Habitat for Humanity-Canada

Women carpenters help Habitat for Humanity
Updated: Tue Feb. 17 2009 16:27:41

ctvcalgary.ca


Sixteen women from the Vermilion/YWCA Skills Training Centre are helping to build townhouses for Habitat for Humanity.

The women are all part of the Women Build Program. "Many of the women who come to us are single moms. And so for them to be able to break the cycle of poverty for them, and for their children, is huge. That's life changing," says Arlene Adamson, the director of YWCA of Calgary.

Construction on the eight-unit complex, at 1608 19 St. N.E., is well under way and the women are working on installing baseboards and other carpentry projects.

The women say that they are paying forward the help they received when they were in trouble.

"It warms my heart helping other people to get out of a place that I was in once, knowing that kids are going to have a roof over their heads is really fulfilling," says Jillian Ashley, a participant in the Vermilion/YWCA Skills Training Centre.

The Habitat for Humanity homes are expected to be completed by May or June.

The townhomes are close to schools, transit and shopping and will give eight families a hand up and allow them to become homeowners.

Habitat for Humanity uses donated labour, materials and professional services and that helps them to keep the costs down and provide a manageable mortgage for the families.

Habitat for Humanity Calgary was formed in 1988 and will celebrate the completion of their 100th house in 2009.

Over 4000 volunteers chip in on the affordable homeownership program every year.


For volunteer and donation information click on the Habitat for Humanity link.

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090217/CGY_habitat_humanity_090217/20090217/?hub=CalgaryHome

Make sure women share equally in the benefits of the stimulus package

Publish Date: 2/8/2009

Polis: Stimulus draft favors men

By Tony Kindelspire
Longmont Times-Call

LONGMONT — As Congress debates President Barack Obama’s stimulus package, some are concerned the jobs it aims to create will favor male-dominated professions.

The final bill signed by the president will likely contain billions of dollars for infrastructure: transportation projects, schools and health-care facilities. The federal government will spend some of this money, and some will be funneled through state and local governments.

Proponents say the stimulus bill will create tens of thousands of new construction jobs, but as U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder, points out, that industry is dominated by men. In a Jan. 15 letter, Polis urged the president to take steps to make sure women share equally in the benefits of the stimulus package.

“Absent efforts to increase worker diversity in infrastructure-related jobs — this could lead to a shift of hundreds of billions of dollars of wealth from women to men,” Polis, a first-term Congressman representing the 2nd Congressional District, wrote in his letter.

Polis said by phone early last week that a constituent in Boulder alerted him to the issue.

“While we all might have suspected, the numbers bore it out,” he said. “After assembling all the information, we found out that of all the infrastructure jobs, 93 percent go to men and 7 percent go to women.”

He said he wrote the letter for two reasons: to alert the president and his colleagues in Congress to the need to take action, and to point to training programs that would address the disparity.

Polis’ letter has drawn support from dozens of women and family-oriented nonprofits, who have sent letters of their own to the president and Congress urging them to add provisions to the final stimulus bill that will level the playing field.

“We believe that we need an economy that works for all of us, and we are encouraged by the discussion that is happening along those lines,” said Linda Meric, executive director of the Denver chapter of 9to5, the National Association of Working Women.

More women than ever are in the workplace, and more families than ever depend on that income, Meric said.

In 2007, women made up 48.7 percent of the labor force, up from 41.2 percent in 1980, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

During the same period, the number of households headed by a single female parent rose to 25 percent from 18 percent, and by 2007, more than 70 percent of children lived in either a dual-earner household or one led by a single, working parent.

The proposed stimulus bill does contain positives for women, Meric said. For example, she said, more money is slated for child care, health care, computerized medical records, and state and local governments.

“These areas employ more women, so job creation and job protection in those areas directly affects women,” she said.

The types of jobs the stimulus package provides are key, Meric said. Calling for “family-supporting” jobs, the letter 9to5 and the other groups signed calls for jobs that pay wages and benefits that will support a family and paid time off so workers can care for themselves and their families.

And given the increase in women in the work force and the fact that more of them are supporting families, the unemployment system needs to be modernized, she said.

“The workplace and the unemployment system haven’t changed to keep up with these changes,” Meric said. “We think that’s a very important piece of the economy.”

She said she supports Polis’ recommendations for diversifying the stimulus package and the work force. While it’s true that women are a small percentage of those working in construction, there are ways to get more women the training they need to do the jobs.

Polis calls for expanding the U.S. Department of Labor’s grant program that awards competitive grants to recruit, hire, train and retain women in apprenticeships and non-traditional occupations.

Polis also calls for enforcing existing rules regarding hiring women by federal construction contractors, and for providing incentives to privately held companies that employ women.

Meric said some of these measures won’t necessarily help in the short term, but they provide a way to begin diversifying the work force now.

“Those (measures) particularly provide an opportunity for us as a country to provide training for women and other underrepresented groups,” she said.

About a dozen other members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed Polis’ letter to the president, he said, including Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., who has been in Congress since 1974 and is now chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee.

Tony Kindelspire can be reached at 303-684-5291 or tkindelspire@times-call.com

http://www.timescall.com/tcBusiness/business-story.asp?ID=14338

Study seeks to boost participation of women in construction -Canada

February 6, 2009

Construction Sector Council

Study seeks to boost participation of women in construction

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

The Ottawa-based Construction Sector Council is undertaking a study aimed in part at identifying strategies to boost women’s participation in the construction trades.

While initiatives have been undertaken over the years, primarily focused on raising women’s awareness of non-traditional careers, the council says there has not been an appreciable increase in the percentage of women working on the tools.

Data indicates that women account for only three per cent of those in the construction trades.

“We know that the overall number of women employed in the construction industry has increased,” says Rosemary Sparks, the council’s senior director of planning and development.

“But the percentage of women in the trades hasn’t really changed. We are trying to find out why that is.”

Previously, the council conducted research on participation of immigrants and Aboriginals in construction.

The study on the state of women’s participation is expected to be completed this spring.

The study will look at women as one solution to the skill shortages identified in the council’s Construction Looking Forward scenarios.

Sparks said the objectives are to gain insight into such areas as: whether barriers to women’s participation have changed; what initiatives have proven successful; what constitutes realistic benchmarks; and what needs to be done.

Study components include interviews with industry stakeholders and focus groups with women in construction.

“We are looking for people who have something to contribute to this topic,” Sparks said.

As part of the process, the council is contacting key trade associations for feedback and to arrange interviews with companies. While outreach also is being made to labour organizations, the majority of the interviews will be with employers.

“We will be seeking their views on what kind of support they think is needed to encourage women to enter the industry and perhaps more importantly, stay in the industry,” Sparks said.

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada has sent a questionnaire to its members as part of the study. Questions include:

•Has your company introduced any recruitment or retention practices to increase women’s participation in the trades and/or construction management ranks?

•What do you think labour needs to do to recruit and retain women?

•What do you think the industry needs to do to recruit and retain women in management occupations?
http://dcnonl.com/article/id32392

Building Industry Urges Congress to Support Economic Stimulus

Economic recovery must include policies focused on building construction. That's the message building industry representatives sent in a letter to Congressional leaders today. The letter represents 28 building industry organizations and the National Institute of Building Sciences. The organizations foresee that federal investment in our nation's buildings will invigorate the building design and construction industries and put Americans back to work almost immediately. The letter urges Congress to support programs that will renovate federal buildings, modernize schools and create more affordable housing. To read the letter and view a complete list of the 28 building industry organizations, visit www.nibs.org/economicstimulusletter.html.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 5, 2009 -- Economic recovery must include policies focused on building construction. That's the message building industry representatives sent in a letter to Congressional leaders today.

The building design and construction industries are responsible for nearly ten percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product and employ more than seven million Americans. One million of those jobs have disappeared in the past two years, according to the Architecture Billings Index put out monthly by the American Institute of Architects.

The letter, sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader John Boehner, represents 28 building industry organizations and the National Institute of Building Sciences. The organizations foresee that federal investment in our nation's buildings will invigorate the building design and construction industries and put Americans back to work almost immediately. The letter urges Congress to support programs that will renovate federal buildings, modernize schools and create more affordable housing.

The industry organizations promote a national economic stimulus program that will set up measurements and standards of performance to prioritize how projects are identified and funded. The organizations recommend looking at long-term benefits as well as immediate economic impact; considering high performance buildings that are designed for sustainability, energy efficiency, safety, security, resiliency, productivity and functionality; and building with the needs of future generations--those living 40 to 80 years from now--in mind.

To read the letter and view a complete list of the 28 building industry organizations, visit www.nibs.org/economicstimulusletter.html.

The National Institute of Building Sciences, authorized by public law 93-383 in 1974, is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that brings together representatives of government, the professions, industry, labor and consumer interests to identify and resolve building process and facility performance problems. The Institute serves as an authoritative source of advice for both the private and public sectors with respect to the use of building science and technology.

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http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb1966574.htm

18,000 proposed infrastructure projects: Reed Construction Data and the Economic Recovery Plan

Jan 27, 2009 - Donna Cahan

Reed Construction Data is releasing a report of over 18,000 proposed infrastructure projects across the nation that have been tagged as “ready to go” by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Projects in this report are said to meet local infrastructure needs, contribute to local economic development goals and have the ability to be funded quickly through existing federal channels. Projects have not been validated by Reed Construction Data and are released with an understanding that funding has not yet been approved.


This collection of projects is a result of four surveys of U.S. cities conducted by the Conference of Mayors over the past three months. The status of these projects has not yet been established, but Reed wants to make you aware of what has been proposed in your area.


These efforts were made possible by The United States Conference of Mayors MainStreet Economic Recovery Plan. The Conference is striving to quickly create jobs in metro areas; improve the infrastructure that the private sector needs to succeed; help the businesses of Main Street America; and produce lasting economic and environmental benefits for the nation. Download a complete overview of the MainStreet Economic Recovery Plan.


How it Works

Visitors must register before downloading Federal Stimulus Project reports. Reports are available in PDF format and are published by region: northeast, southeast, central and west. Information about each project includes title, location, value, scope and notes. All projects are in stage “Proposed Pending Funding”.


Updates to these documents will be available as new information is released into the public domain. To receive actionable, verified data — and the ability to select project types, geographies, etc. — simply provide the information requested on the linked form.


Frequently asked Questions

How do I download the Federal Stimulus Projects package?
Register or log in and select the regional Federal Stimulus Project package(s) you are interested in.

What is the cost?
Federal Stimulus Projects are free. Registration is required.

Where did these infrastructure projects come from?
These projects have been reported in four surveys of U.S. cities conducted by The United States Conference of Mayors over the past three months.

Why were these projects released?
The MainStreet Economic Recovery Plan developed by The United States Conference of Mayors calls for federal investments in 10 sectors that will quickly create jobs in metro areas, improve the infrastructure that the private sector needs in order to succeed, help the small businesses of Main Street America and produce lasting economic and environmental benefits to the nation.

Have the projects in these reports been verified?
Federal Stimulus Projects have not yet been verified by Reed Construction Data and may not proceed into funding.

What are the minimum requirements for these proposed projects?
The U.S. Conference of Mayors asked for projects that are “ready to go”, meaning they meet local infrastructure needs, contribute to local economic development, can be funded quickly through existing federal channels and can start quickly when funding is received.

Where can I find verified project information?
Reed Construction Data offers several project lead services that provide actionable and verified construction project leads. Complete the contact form and a project lead specialist will contact you. Or, call 1-800-424-3996 and reference “Federal Stimulus Projects.”

What information is available about these projects?
Listed project information includes title, location, value, scope and notes.

Is this private or public information?
All information concerning Federal Stimulus Projects is public.

How can I receive updates about these projects?
Download a project bulletin to be notified by email when Federal Stimulus Projects have been updated.

Where can I get more information about Federal Stimulus Projects?
Click here for a downloadable document regarding these projects and the MainStreet Economic Recovery Plan.

http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/news/2009/01/reed-construction-data-and-the-economic-recovery-plan/?nid=4267