Why More Women in Skilled Trades Means a Brighter Future

When we talk honestly about women in skilled trades, we’re talking about breaking superstitions, shifting expectations, and building more equitable opportunities. For far too long, trades like construction, welding, and plumbing have been stereotyped as “men’s work,” but that narrative is changing. The nontraditional paths are not only valid, but they’re also powerful. More women choosing these roles signals growth, resilience, and inclusivity.

Across the United States, the number of women working in construction and extraction occupations has climbed to significant levels. Even so, women still represent a meagre percentage of those working “with the tools” on construction sites. That double-edged reality tells a story we all need to pay attention to.

The Current Landscape: Underrepresentation Despite Growth

Women in skilled trades continue to face a steep climb. Even though more women enter these fields, they remain a small minority: according to a comprehensive analysis, women account for only 3.4 percent of all skilled-trades workers. That includes roles like electricians, carpenters, pipefitters, and more.

Meanwhile, construction industry-wide data shows that women make up a meagre percent of the total construction workforce. But here’s a critical nuance: almost 40 percent of those women hold office or support roles, not trades jobs on the jobsite. That leaves a considerable gap in trade careers in Philly and beyond, a gap that women are increasingly prepared to fill.

Why This Matters

Increasingly, Gen Z skilled trades aspirants — young people born in the late ’90s and early 2000s — are asking real, honest questions about what success means. They’re less driven by traditional college norms and more attracted to meaningful work, solid pay, and financial independence. Many women in this generation see trade roles as a perfect match: hands-on, high-impact, and free of the four-year-college default.

The fact is, many non-degree trade careers offer upward mobility, good wages, and long-term stability. For women, this means challenging dated gender roles while building a life based on skill, not just credentials.

Challenges Facing Women in Skilled Trades

While optimism is rising, the path to broader inclusion is not without obstacles. Here are some of the biggest hurdles that women in skilled trades still face:

1. Cultural Barriers & Bias
   On job sites, women often encounter gendered stereotypes, a lack of mentorship, and sometimes outright exclusion. Many report being underestimated, overlooked, or even harassed. Overcoming that requires more than technical training — it demands systemic change.
2. Low Retention in Apprenticeships
   According to research, women are less likely to complete apprenticeships because of exclusion, limited support, and sometimes hostile environments. Without proper mentorship and inclusive practices, early enthusiasm can fade.
3. Unequal Representation in High-Skill Roles
   Even within construction, women are much more likely to be in support roles than in skilled trades. That means fewer opportunities to be seen and valued “in the field,” as experts and leaders.

The Opportunities for Women in Skilled Trades

Despite these challenges, the potential for women in this space is enormous. Here’s where things are really opening up:

• Apprenticeship Access Is Growing
  Earn-as-you-learn models are central to many trade programs today. These pathways let women earn a paycheck, gain experience, and build confidence — all without needing a four-year college degree.
• Increased Recruitment & Support
  Industry groups, nonprofits, and governmental initiatives (like “Million Women in Construction”) are working hard to bring more women into trade careers.
• Better Pay + Leadership Potential
  As more women gain experience, they can become supervisors, crew leads, or even start their own business — proving that non-degree trade careers can lead to serious careers, not just entry-level work.
• Economic Impact
  Because construction and technical trades offer solid wages, women who enter these fields contribute not only to their personal financial stability but also to narrower wage gaps and more diverse leadership in historically male-dominated industries.
  

Why Women in Skilled Trades Are Critical for Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s construction and trades ecosystem is changing, and when women are included, the benefits multiply. Here are several ways that boosting female representation in skilled trades in Philadelphia can transform the city:

• Workforce Growth: With more women trained and employed, Philly can better address labor shortages in construction and trades.
• Economic Inclusion: Building more pathways into trade careers helps open up nontraditional, high-paying opportunities for underrepresented groups in the city.
• Role Models: More women working on Philly job sites can inspire younger generations — including Gen Z skilled trades aspirants — to choose trade careers in Philly.
• Community Impact: Women working in construction contribute to community development and can serve as leaders in union, contractor, or business roles.

In fact, according to Philadelphia’s Workforce Development Annual Report, 30% of participants in a local construction training academy identified as women — a promising sign for future change.

Stories That Inspire

Real change often comes from real stories: women who dared to take nontraditional paths, and now do exceptional work, day in and day out.

• Some women have built longstanding careers in carpentry, welding, and interior finishing — despite being the only female on the crew at times. They have not only learned the trade, but have also become mentors to others, opening doors that were once closed.
• Others lead advocacy groups, pushing for safer worksites, equal pay, and more inclusive jobsite culture. Their leadership helps make career without college degree paths more visible, especially for the next wave of women considering trades.

Across the country, programs are also helping: non-profits and trade organizations are training more tradeswomen, offering mentorship, and building networks to support women’s retention and growth in trades.

How PTTI Supports Women in the Trades

At PTTI, we recognize how vital women in skilled trades are — not just for equity, but for strengthening the workforce overall. Here’s how we support that vision:

1. Inclusive Training Programs
   Our trade-training curriculum welcomes students from all backgrounds, and many of our cohorts include women who are breaking into fields previously dominated by men.
2. Mentorship Opportunities
   We connect prospective and current students to mentors in the trades who are experienced women or strong allies — because support matters.
3. Career Development Services
   Through our career services office, we help graduates tap into apprenticeships, union programs, or direct employment across Philadelphia’s construction sector.
4. Community Awareness
   We partner with local workforce and civic organizations to raise awareness about nontraditional paths and drive recruitment for trades careers in Philly — particularly among women.

If you want to examine our trade programs or understand how to begin your journey, you can explore our Programs page.

What More Needs to Happen — For True Equity

To keep momentum strong, several things need to improve if women in skilled trades are going to scale meaningfully:

• Cultural Change on Job Sites: More companies need to adopt policies and practices that foster respect, inclusion, and safety for women.
• Accessible Pre-Apprenticeships: Cities like Philadelphia should continue to expand pre-apprentice programs targeting women, youth, and underrepresented communities.
• Retention & Leadership: It’s not enough to recruit women — we also need to retain them. Supporting women through mentorship, training, and advancement must be central.
• Advocacy & Awareness: Industry partnerships, trade associations, and educational institutions must amplify the message: there is enormous value in trade careers in Philly for women.

Why It’s Critical for Gen Z to Join This Movement

For Gen Z skilled trades hopefuls, this moment is pivotal. Young women in this generation are inheriting both opportunity and responsibility: opportunity to carve powerful, meaningful careers — and responsibility to push the trades toward greater diversity.

Unlike past generations, many in Gen Z prioritize social impact, economic independence, and nontraditional success paths. By entering trade roles, more Gen Z women can help break down barriers for those who will follow. Each woman who becomes a carpenter, electrician, HVAC tech, or other skilled trades worker signals a possibility for more equity.

Final Thoughts: Building the Future Together

The story of women in skilled trades is not just about representation. It’s about reshaping how we think of work, value, and who gets to build the world around us. When women thrive in non-degree trade careers, they challenge stereotypes, strengthen communities, and push the industry forward.

If you’re a woman interested in exploring trade careers in Philadelphia, or a young Gen Z worker wondering whether the trades could be your future, know this: the door is open, the tools are there, and the community is building. Let’s create together.

Read more-

• 10 High-Demand Skilled Trades in the USA Right Now
• Pros and Cons of Trade School: Is It Worth It?
• Busting Myths Around Trade Jobs