The Department of Transportation will launch the Women of Trucking Advisory Board to support women in the trucking industry.

The Department of Transportation is launching the Women of Trucking Advisory Board to promote gender equality and address challenges faced by women in the trucking industry.

"Stacy Two Eagle, a single mother of four, graduated from the diesel program at Mitchell Technical College, demonstrating that women can succeed in male-dominated industries with determination and hard work."

Stacy Two Eagle is a woman who has succeeded in a male-dominated industry by obtaining a degree in diesel technology and pursuing a new career, demonstrating determination and perseverance.

Stacy Two Eagle is a woman who succeeded in a male-dominated industry by learning to operate heavy machinery and pursuing a career in diesel technology.

"Stacy Two Eagle is a non-traditional student who overcame challenges to pursue her education at Mitchell Tech, demonstrating her ability to succeed in a male-dominated industry."

"Stacy Two Eagle is an example of a woman succeeding in a male-dominated industry, having completed the diesel program at Mitchell Tech and overcoming challenges with the help of her instructors and hands-on learning."

Educational programs and vocational training can support women in construction, helping them to break down traditional gender barriers and achieve success in the field.

Educational programs and vocational training can support women in construction by providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field.

"Educational programs and vocational training can support women in construction by providing them with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in male-dominated fields."

Educational programs and vocational training can support women in construction by providing them with the necessary skills and confidence to succeed in a male-dominated field, ultimately leading to better job opportunities and greater gender equality.

Women can excel in the construction industry with the right support and initiatives, such as educational programs and vocational training, which can help break down traditional gender barriers and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed.

Stacy Two Eagle, a single mother, values economic independence as she overcomes challenges in the diesel program at Mitchell Technical College.

The female worker in the story, Two Eagle, values economic independence as she pursues a degree in diesel technology to create a better life for herself and her children.

The female worker in the story values economic independence, which motivates her to pursue a career in diesel technology and gain employable skills.

The female worker, Two Eagle, is a non-traditional student who values economic independence and is determined to pursue a better life for herself and her children through education and a career.

The female worker in the story, Two Eagle, values economic independence and the ability to provide for her family, as evidenced by her determination to succeed in a male-dominated field and to show her kids that she can perform just as well as men.

Two Eagle, a female heavy equipment operator, is an example of a woman succeeding in a male-dominated industry, breaking down traditional gender barriers and excelling in her field.

Irene Naliaka, a female professional driver, has successfully broken into a male-dominated industry, demonstrating that women can excel in traditionally male-dominated roles with the right support and mindset.

"Rachael Reresi is an example of a woman breaking down gender barriers in a male-dominated industry, working as a mechanic at Warrior Industry, which can inspire and motivate other women to pursue careers in construction and heavy machinery."

Rachael Reresi is a female role model in the male-dominated industry of mechanics, showcasing resilience and determination in succeeding in her field.

Rachael Reresi is a female role model in a male-dominated industry, inspiring young women to pursue careers in STEM fields, including construction and maritime, by challenging gender norms and achieving success through determination and hard work.

"Women are breaking into non-traditional roles like logistics, security, and heavy machinery operation, with examples like Stacy Two Eagle's graduation from a diesel program showing their capability to succeed in male-dominated fields."

"Women are breaking down traditional gender barriers in male-dominated fields such as logistics, security, and heavy machinery, with examples of determination and success in pursuing non-traditional careers."

"Women are taking on non-traditional roles in construction and logistics, including operating heavy machinery, and are breaking down traditional gender barriers to excel in these fields."

"Women are taking on non-traditional roles in male-dominated fields such as logistics, security, and heavy machinery operation, breaking down traditional gender barriers and excelling in these roles."

Women are taking on non-traditional roles in fields such as logistics, security, and heavy machinery operation, breaking down traditional gender barriers and excelling in these roles.

Stereotypes and biases have traditionally kept women out of construction, but women like Ms Naliaka are breaking through the glass ceiling and navigating their way in the workplace, proving that they can excel in male-dominated roles.

Women can break traditional gender barriers in construction and maritime industries by pursuing non-traditional roles and excelling in them, as seen in the example of Rachael Reresi, a mechanic at Warrior Industry

Women are breaking down traditional gender barriers in construction through education, determination, and merit-based recruitment, challenging male-dominated industries and paving the way for future generations.

Women have been underrepresented in the construction industry due to stereotypes and biases, but with more women joining the field, these barriers are being challenged, and women are excelling in traditionally male-dominated roles.

The war in Ukraine has created a shift in the labor market, allowing women to break into traditionally male-dominated fields such as construction, and employers are now more open to hiring women for these positions.

Two Eagle, a heavy equipment operator, is an example of a woman who has successfully worked in a male-dominated field, demonstrating her ability to perform as well as her male counterparts.

A woman, referred to as 'Two Eagle', is an example of someone challenging the male-dominated construction industry by pursuing a career in a field traditionally dominated by men and operating heavy equipment.

A woman, Ms Naliaka, is an example of someone challenging the male-dominated construction industry by operating heavy machinery and driving, despite facing challenges such as skepticism and difficulty balancing work and family responsibilities.

The construction industry is experiencing a shift towards greater gender equality, with women increasingly taking on roles such as crane operators and leadership positions, demonstrating their effectiveness and capabilities in these traditionally male-dominated fields.

Unique Thomas, a former film student, has joined the construction industry as a trainee with GRID, becoming an example of a woman challenging the male-dominated field.

Meest has created a supportive environment for women to learn and grow in traditionally male-dominated roles, attracting and retaining female employees through changes to operational processes and technology.

ATB provides a supportive environment for women to learn and grow, offering free training and equal opportunities for career advancement, challenging traditional gender barriers in male-dominated industries.

Ferrexpo is a company that promotes gender equality and diversity, with a significant increase in women in leadership positions, making it a supportive environment for women to learn and grow.

Amazon is a company that provides a supportive environment for women to learn and grow, making it a potential fit for women looking to break into male-dominated industries like construction.

Amazon is a company that provides a supportive environment for women to learn and grow, with efforts to support female employees in leadership roles and provide a safe and supportive workplace.

The government provides support for female education in trades through initiatives such as educational programmes, vocational training, and inclusive policies.

There are special grants available for females in trades to help fund their education, which can support women pursuing careers in male-dominated fields like automotive mechanics.

"There are various grants available to support female education in trades, indicating a positive shift towards greater gender equality and diversity in the construction and maritime industries."

The underrepresentation of women in construction is a global issue, but it is most pronounced in Africa due to various societal and systemic factors.

Underrepresentation of women in construction is most pronounced in Africa, where societal pressures and obstacles such as teenage pregnancies and early marriages hinder women's participation in the industry.

Female crane operators received safety induction and on-the-job training before beginning their work, helping to break down traditional gender barriers in the construction industry.

Irene Naliaka advises women in male-dominated industries to be brave, speak up, and ask for help when needed, emphasizing the importance of self-confidence and boldness in overcoming challenges.

The number of female construction trainees grew significantly between 2016 and 2019, with the number of female construction apprentices nearly doubling during this time period.

The percentage of construction workers in the US who are women is 14.1%, indicating a shift towards greater gender equality in the industry.

The Department of Transportation will launch the Women of Trucking Advisory Board to support women in the trucking industry.

Title:

Content: The Trucker exclusive: White House shares Trucking Action Plan update

WASHINGTON — Marking 60 days since announcing the Trucking Action Plan (TAP), the White House has shared an exclusive update on the initiative with The Trucker.

President Joe Biden said the plan is designed to help bolster the trucking industry at a time when more drivers are needed and the supply chain’s stress level is critical.

“With more than 70 percent of all goods in America shipped by truck, America’s trucking workforce plays a critical role in the U.S. supply chain and the broader economy,” a statement to The Trucker from Jennifer Molina, White House senior director of Coalitions Media, read.

“However, outdated infrastructure, the COVID-19 pandemic and a historic volume of goods moving through the nation’s economy have strained capacity across the supply chain, including in trucking.”

The White House said that while more work remains, the TAP “has made remarkable progress in the last 60 days.”

The Biden administration shared with The Trucker that more than 20 employers have so far signed up to participate in expanded registered apprenticeship programs, which are designed to help fast-track new drivers into big rigs.

“Partners like the American Trucking Associations, the North American Punjabi Trucking Association (and the) Minority Professional Truckers Association have stepped forward to partner with the administration to expand apprenticeships,” according to the White House.

Administration officials said they are working to “cut red tape so it’s easier for drivers to get commercial driver’s licenses. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced over $32 million in funding to help states upgrade their processing systems as well as technical assistance to speed up issuances.”

The White House also shared with The Trucker that the Veterans Service Organizations, which represents nearly 4 million military veterans, is currently discussing ways the administration and industry can attract, train, place and retain veterans in trucking jobs.

The departments of Labor, Transportation, Defense and Veterans Affairs, along with the Small Business Administration, have released a fact sheet to raise awareness about 16 different federal programs that can connect transitioning military personnel and veterans to careers in the trucking industry, according to the White House.

“These programs will boost efficiency in the industry, connecting firms to countless potential workers,” the White House statement read. “A highlight of these efforts is the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Registered Apprenticeship program.”

The administration also plans to focus on women in the trucking industry.

This week, Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg plans to sign the charter document officially launching the Women of Trucking Advisory Board.

As the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established, this task force will help inform efforts to increase the number of women in trucking.

“Based on feedback received in recent listening sessions with leaders and advocates, the task force will provide recommendations to address the challenges facing current and prospective women, such as barriers to entry, on-the-job safety risks, workplace harassment, including sexual harassment, mentorship, quality training and opportunities for advancement,” according to the White House.

Additionally, the administration plans to sign a charter document to form a new task force to investigate predatory truck leasing arrangements.

The FMCSA, DOL and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) formed a Truck Leasing Task Force that will review leasing arrangements to identify actions that could make leases more equitable and transparent.

Finally, the White House shared with The Trucker that the administration plans to deliver a “comprehensive new action plan, informed by a series of DOL and DOT listening sessions, outlining any further administrative and regulatory actions the administration can take to support quality trucking jobs.”

Industry reaction to the plan has been mostly positive, though many truckers wish it had addressed the lack of safe truck parking across the nation.

“As one of the top five industry-rated challenges voiced by professional drivers in the recent ATRI (American Transportation Research Institute) study, and an issue that has been top 10 on company and truckers’ minds for years, it is more than disappointing that specific funds were not earmarked to meet this problem,” said Mark Walker, chairman and CEO of Missouri-based TransLand. “It’s unbelievable.”

American Trucking Associations (ATA) Executive Vice President of Advocacy Bill Sullivan praised the TAP, saying, “We are encouraged that the Biden Administration has not only recognized the importance of adding new and well-trained Americans to the trucking workforce, but has announced a path forward with what we believe will become a robust training opportunity for future commercial truck drivers.”

Shannon Newton, president of Arkansas Trucking Association, also lauded the plan.

“We thank the president and his administration for recognizing the important work of the men and women in the trucking industry,” she said. “We appreciate any effort to support and expand access to quality driving jobs and address the pandemic-driven delays in obtaining a commercial driver’s license. We welcome the opportunity to work together in sharing our industry with a new cohort of drivers.”

Todd Spencer, president of the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), hasn’t been as enthusiastic.

“There are some elements in the plan we support, including further analysis of driver compensation and unpaid detention time,” Spencer said. “However, the plan fails to address excessively high driver turnover rates. Attracting and training new drivers won’t solve the larger problem of retention.”

Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and raised in East Texas, John Worthen returned to his home state to attend college in 1998 and decided to make his life in The Natural State. Worthen is a 20-year veteran of the journalism industry and has covered just about every topic there is. He has a passion for writing and telling stories. He has worked as a beat reporter and bureau chief for a statewide newspaper and as managing editor of a regional newspaper in Arkansas. Additionally, Worthen has been a prolific freelance journalist for two decades, and has been published in several travel magazines and on travel websites.

Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and raised in East Texas, John Worthen returned to his home state to attend college in 1998 and decided to make his life in The Natural State. Worthen is a 20-year veteran of the journalism industry and has covered just about every topic there is. He has a passion for writing and telling stories. He has worked as a beat reporter and bureau chief for a statewide newspaper and as managing editor of a regional newspaper in Arkansas. Additionally, Worthen has been a prolific freelance journalist for two decades, and has been published in several travel magazines and on travel websites.

The Department of Transportation is launching the Women of Trucking Advisory Board to promote gender equality and address challenges faced by women in the trucking industry.

"Stacy Two Eagle, a single mother of four, graduated from the diesel program at Mitchell Technical College, demonstrating that women can succeed in male-dominated industries with determination and hard work."

Title:

Content: Mitchell Technical College's Stacy Two Eagle celebrates graduation from diesel program

May 10—MITCHELL — There was a time not that long ago when Stacy Two Eagle was feeling overwhelmed.

As a single mother of four enrolled in the diesel program at Mitchell Technical College, she was facing pressure from all sides. With children ranging in age from 16 years old to 7 years old in the Mitchell School District and a challenging school program at Mitchell Tech to navigate herself, she wasn't sure if she could hold on and complete her studies.

"I know once or twice in the beginning of the second year I was talking to my oldest son. What if we just pack up and go back? Because this is hard," Two Eagle told the Mitchell Republic in a recent interview. "Figuring out money (was difficult). Figuring out school clothes. Figuring out whatever. I did one year, it will be OK."

The doubt was real, but it was then gone in a flash.

"We were both sitting there, and it was, 'No, we're going to finish.' Because there's always going to be something in your way. You just have to be determined and know what you want and figure out how to get it," Two Eagle said.

Two Eagle was determined, and she knew what she wanted. She had come from Two Strike, South Dakota, on the Rosebud Indian Reservation to obtain a degree in diesel technology, hopefully leading to a new career and a bigger and better world for her and her kids.

She completed that task Friday when she crossed the stage at the Corn Palace to receive her associates degree.

It was a big moment for Two Eagle, who had attended Black Hills State University out of high school, where she studied subjects like chemistry and early childhood education. But like many freshmen, she lacked focus and jumped from one discipline to another looking for a good fit. She changed her major several times, but never finished school.

At age 24 she had her first child and her life was changed forever. Following a divorce, she continued to raise her four kids and support them. Eventually, she found herself working with a construction crew, where she learned how to operate heavy machinery like loaders and scrapers. It was after she had gained some proficiency on the equipment that she decided to return to the academic world.

She learned about the diesel technology program at Mitchell Tech through research on the internet. It sounded intriguing, and the program boasted a 100% employment placement rate for students following graduation.

"I started wanting to know more about the equipment and what makes it run and how I could learn more," Two Eagle said. "I just started searching for places that had a diesel program, and Mitchell Tech was the one that came up. And then I was looking at the employability after school, and that's what intrigued me."

She would return to school as a non-traditional student, defined as students over the age of 21. According to Mitchell Tech, 12% of 922 students classified under on-campus enrollment are non-traditional.

It was a new opportunity for Two Eagle, who admits she was nervous about the challenges ahead but soon jumped on board.

Two Eagle enrolled at Mitchell Tech in 2022, and for a time during her first year she was unable to find a good housing option. So she left her kids in the care of family members back home and lived out of a hotel in Mitchell during the week. When the week was over, she headed back to Two Strike where she would reunite with her children for a couple of days before returning to Mitchell the next week to continue her studies.

She multitasked to keep up, combining tasks like studying with watching her son's football games.

Eventually she found a housing option in Mitchell that would allow her and her kids to be together under one roof. The kids — sons Morrigan, Gideon and Milo and daughter Grace, now ages 16, 13, 11 and 7, respectively — were enrolled in the Mitchell School District, and Two Eagle continued with her studies at Mitchell Tech. Their situation was improving, even if it was still a big life change for everybody.

"I was driving back and forth for a while until I found a place. So it was hard. Very hard in the beginning," Two Eagle said. "And it was hard because we were used to wide open spaces and were used to family being right over the hill, so it's different. It's an adjustment."

Despite the differences, Mitchell afforded opportunities they wouldn't have had back home. There were expanded opportunities for the kids in the school district, and far less hours spent on the road driving back and forth.

As the kids dived in and embraced their new school district, Two Eagle did likewise with her work at Mitchell Tech. While a keen study of subjects, the diesel program provided plenty of challenges for her, though she credits instructors like Joel Rassel and the hands-on learning nature of the program itself with helping her stay the course.

The courses were engaging, and in some cases fun. When students were allowed to bring in personal repair projects during her second year, she brought in her dad's old 1996 Ford diesel pickup to see if she could get it running again. It had performed recent duty back home as a "lawn ornament," according to Two Eagle.

After diagnosing the problem, a part was ordered and installed by Two Eagle. The truck has since roared back to life, and her dad, who has overcome medical challenges recently, was expected to see it running when he arrived in Mitchell to attend Two Eagle's graduation Friday. Other family members have asked for video of the truck starting up through their online group chat.

Two Eagle was used to working in a male-dominated field from her experience as a heavy equipment operator, but it was important to show her kids that she could perform just as well as the men in an academic setting, as well. She found support in the program despite being a woman and a little older than the traditional students, most of whom were just out of high school.

"I felt like I had to show my daughter how it can be done, because I'm entering a mainly male field. That's (also) how it was when I was operating heavy equipment," Two Eagle said. "Even as an operator, you face some pushback from the men because they don't think you can do everything that they can. I had to show my daughter that women can do anything men can do."

As her second year at Mitchell Tech inched closer to conclusion, she began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Her goal was in reach, and after several attempts that came up short in the past, graduation was suddenly right around the corner.

It was a big moment for her. She was proud to finish the program for herself, but even more so for her children. A better job means better pay and better opportunities for her kids, and showing her daughter that a woman could succeed in a field traditionally dominated by men was important as well.

Her emotions bubble to the surface thinking about their journey — the drives and long nights, the studying, the time management, the tests and family health issues all added to a weight on her shoulders. The budding diesel mechanic even had to deal with personal vehicle breakdowns. Her kids had sacrificed for Two Eagle's goals, as well, uprooting to a new town hours away from their friends and family and navigating the halls of a new school system.

But they all made it work, Two Eagle said, and that made her graduation as much a celebration of them as it is of her.

"I wasn't going to uproot my kids and take them away from their grandparents for nothing. We have to finish. I'm taking them all out of school (Friday) so they can help me get ready (for graduation). This is their degree more than it's mine," Two Eagle said, her voice cracking.

With graduation complete, Two Eagle has options she did not have before. Diesel mechanics are in demand across the country, which gives her a chance to find work practically anywhere.

For the moment, however, she wants to celebrate the achievement with her friends and family.

Following graduation on Friday, Two Eagle and family were expected to head home and reconnect with friends and loved ones. A bonfire is planned, great for roasting hot dogs and smores. The four kids still have a week left of school left in Mitchell, so they'll come back to wrap up the school year, but after that Two Eagle will ponder her choices. It will even make for a memorable Mother's Day, which is Sunday, May 12.

She doesn't rule out an eventual return to Mitchell. The family has grown fond of the community over the last two years, treating it as somewhat of a home away from home. And the Mitchell Tech campus could even host another member of the family in the future, with her oldest son interested in welding.

Knowing the support she received there and the affordability of the program compared to some of her past educational ventures, she has experienced firsthand the benefits of studying there.

"I told him, if you come back you won't feel homesick. It will feel familiar to you and you'll be able to finish. I think that's what gets a lot of kids when they first get to school. They get homesick and miss their family, but at least here they'll have some memories," Two Eagle said.

But those are decisions for down the road. For now, the goal is to celebrate and relish the doors that have been opened to her and her future. Through all the long nights of driving and studying, balancing the schedules of an entire household of people going to school all the while dealing with unexpected challenges that life can throw, she finally did it.

She finished.

"I can't even verbalize how excited I am. I honestly thought I would give up at some point because of how hard it was. There were so many struggles," Two Eagle said. "(But) there's always going to be something in your way, so the only thing you can do is to do it."

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

Stacy Two Eagle is a woman who has succeeded in a male-dominated industry by obtaining a degree in diesel technology and pursuing a new career, demonstrating determination and perseverance.

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

Stacy Two Eagle is a woman who succeeded in a male-dominated industry by learning to operate heavy machinery and pursuing a career in diesel technology.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

"Stacy Two Eagle is a non-traditional student who overcame challenges to pursue her education at Mitchell Tech, demonstrating her ability to succeed in a male-dominated industry."

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

"Stacy Two Eagle is an example of a woman succeeding in a male-dominated industry, having completed the diesel program at Mitchell Tech and overcoming challenges with the help of her instructors and hands-on learning."

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

Educational programs and vocational training can support women in construction, helping them to break down traditional gender barriers and achieve success in the field.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are governments doing to promote and aid women in construction or maritime industries?

vocational training
educational programs

Educational programs and vocational training can support women in construction by providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field.

What are governments doing to promote and aid women in construction or maritime industries?

vocational training
educational programs

"Educational programs and vocational training can support women in construction by providing them with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in male-dominated fields."

What are governments doing to promote and aid women in construction or maritime industries?

vocational training
educational programs

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

Educational programs and vocational training can support women in construction by providing them with the necessary skills and confidence to succeed in a male-dominated field, ultimately leading to better job opportunities and greater gender equality.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are governments doing to promote and aid women in construction or maritime industries?

vocational training
educational programs

Women can excel in the construction industry with the right support and initiatives, such as educational programs and vocational training, which can help break down traditional gender barriers and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed.

Title:

Content: Careers

Female transit trucker on navigating gender hurdles

Industries traditionally dominated by men are making meaningful efforts to attract more women to their workforces. But just how do they get the balance right?

It’s a concern Irene Naliaka, now in her tenth year as a professional driver working with Sahara Motors, wrestles with.

They transport imported vehicles from the Mombasa Port to Kampala, Uganda.

Her interest in driving led her to seek a job in the field.

"I was desperate for a job and I had to question myself as to what I could do comfortably. I had tried my hand on a lot of things, but then driving earned it."

Women can assume roles in male-dominated areas. But the reality of being a woman only hit Ms Naliaka when she started working.

"Driving for me is a hobby, so it never seemed strange when I took up the work offer. However, I was the only woman on the team but they made it easy for me to blend in."

Ms Naliaka says she has become better at the work with time.

"I am looking forward to driving even harder machines, such as the top loader operators,'' she says.

Her first trip was not easy. ''It was a decision that I had made and I knew that I wanted to drive, but I was not ready for it to be honest. I remember when one of my sisters asked me if I was normal and that I should look for a different job,'' she says.

Read: The future of women at work

As a mother of four with a nine-month-old baby, it was hard for her.

"On my first assignment, I turned up with my baby, I had my son's bag and my bag. My employer thought it was a joke that I was travelling with a little baby, but then I didn't have anyone to look after him and I needed to get the job done," she says

Ms Naliaka's first trip to Kampala took more than 24 hours, whereas drivers are expected to reach Kampala in 16 hours. Many working mothers struggle with the challenges of getting ahead in their careers and the guilt of not being home all the time.

How will I manage to be part of my children's life? Will my absence be worth it? How will I explain to them that I have to be away? These were the questions that stalked Ms Naliaka.

She talks of restraining her duties as a mother and trying to find balance. Mostly, Ms Naliaka would be on the road for four days and get three days to be home and vice versa if the cycle changed.

Before her travel, she says, "I have to make sure I sleep well because our highways can be very terrible. I wake up as early as 5 am so that I talk to my little boys and see them off for school by 6 am."

"I then prepare and leave the house at 8 am because I need to be at the car pickup point by 10 am to manage the clearance process and be ready to leave at around 3 pm. We leave Mombasa in a convoy, which means we have to journey as a team to Kampala,’’ she adds

According to Ms Naliaka, the power of choosing to be a working mom cannot be underestimated. She has to deal with being a fatigued parent though it gets better with time.

How did she find her voice?

"At the beginning of 2013, my husband was involved in a serious car accident, he lost two spinal discs, the L5 and thorax 7 and that left him immobilised. Two years after the accident, I had to find something to do as his medication took most of my savings. So I had to put food on the table and make sure he got his medication. My husband had his reservations at first, but these were his words, 'I know you are a strong woman, you can do it, but this is too hard'," Ms Naliaka says.

She continues, " It was not easy, we had fights in between because of the long absence, but in the end, it worked after he saw that I could do it. At the moment he is slowly regaining his mobility."

Her husband is a maths teacher.

Does she have moments when she feels like she should take a seat back from the industry?

"Yes. When I started, the migration process was a thorn in the flesh situation. I used to waste hours to be cleared and that interfered with my travel back home. But I came to make terms with the slow clearance," she says.

It also meant pacing herself because work and mothering need to be done.

Irene Naliaka poses for a photo on March 04, 2024 at Nation Centre building in Nairobi. PHOTO | BILLY OGADA | NMG

Challenges

"The roads are never the same, the weather keeps changing every time," she says.

"In the Rift Valley, we sometimes get hailstorms just out of nowhere. That's when professionalism comes in, you slow down, use the lights to indicate because you've got to manage your space, use the heater to heat the car and the windscreen to clear the precipitation. There was a time when I couldn't do it because it was too intense, so I'd just pulled over to the roadside and wait for the storm to clear,’’ she adds.

She has also encountered her fair share of ruthless truck drivers.

''Women are naturally wired to be soft, in some cases, you might be driving and enjoying your moment and a truck honks carelessly and it might frighten you to lose track.''

Ms Naliaka also recounts how unfair the male-dominated industry might be for women.

"Men feel we are fighting for their position. From my experience and the type of work I do, men don't want women on the roads. There was a time when a boss told a short lady that she could not drive, but there are short men on the job too," she points out.

Read: What women leaders sacrifice to 'have it all'

As women continue to break through the glass ceiling and navigate their way in the workplace, Ms Naliaka is proud to have had only one accident in 10 years.

"You have to be brave, be yourself, be bold, don't be afraid to speak up because that will always get you through. If it's a 'no, stand firm, if you can't manage it, just speak up. It's always good to ask," she says.

[email protected]

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are governments doing to promote and aid women in construction or maritime industries?

vocational training
inclusive policies
educational programs

Stacy Two Eagle, a single mother, values economic independence as she overcomes challenges in the diesel program at Mitchell Technical College.

The female worker in the story, Two Eagle, values economic independence as she pursues a degree in diesel technology to create a better life for herself and her children.

The female worker in the story values economic independence, which motivates her to pursue a career in diesel technology and gain employable skills.

The female worker, Two Eagle, is a non-traditional student who values economic independence and is determined to pursue a better life for herself and her children through education and a career.

The female worker in the story, Two Eagle, values economic independence and the ability to provide for her family, as evidenced by her determination to succeed in a male-dominated field and to show her kids that she can perform just as well as men.

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

What positive experiences are highlighted in the personal stories of successful women in construction and maritime industries, especially of female crane operators?

Two Eagle, a female heavy equipment operator, is an example of a woman succeeding in a male-dominated industry, breaking down traditional gender barriers and excelling in her field.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

Irene Naliaka, a female professional driver, has successfully broken into a male-dominated industry, demonstrating that women can excel in traditionally male-dominated roles with the right support and mindset.

"Rachael Reresi is an example of a woman breaking down gender barriers in a male-dominated industry, working as a mechanic at Warrior Industry, which can inspire and motivate other women to pursue careers in construction and heavy machinery."

Title:

Content: Advertisment

Breaking Barriers: Rachael Reresi Shines in Male-Dominated Mechanics at Warrior Industry

Rachael Reresi breaks stereotypes in a male-dominated field as a mechanic at Warrior Industry, embodying resilience and inspiring change.

Shivani Chauhan
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In a significant stride towards gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated fields, Rachael Reresi from East New Britain province has recently made headlines by joining Warrior Industry, a leading water tank manufacturing company located at Malahang Industrial area in Lae, as a mechanic. Hired in November 2023, Reresi's journey is not just about breaking stereotypes but also about excellence in a challenging work environment.

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Despite the gender imbalance, Reresi's former classmates from the National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea became her initial allies, easing her transition into this rugged terrain. Her determination and adaptability have turned heads, including that of Warrior's managing director, Reginald Sutton, who commends her for her hard work and team spirit.

Challenging Gender Norms

Reresi's entry into the mechanics sector of Warrior Industry is a testament to her resilience and determination to succeed in a field where women are a rarity. Her ability to work seamlessly alongside her male counterparts, not just at her designated post by the machines but throughout the company, showcases her versatility and commitment to teamwork. This dynamic approach has not only earned her respect but also positioned her as a potential future leader within the company.

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Empowerment Through Education

The journey of Reresi, a 24-year-old graduate of the National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea, highlights the critical role of education in empowering individuals to pursue careers in fields they are passionate about, regardless of societal norms. Her academic achievements in mechanical engineering paved the way for her recruitment at Warrior Industry, proving that merit and skill are key to breaking down barriers.

Inspiration for Many

Reresi's story is more than just about personal achievement; it serves as an inspiration to many, especially young women aspiring to enter STEM fields. Her motto, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' from Philippians 4:13, reflects her strong faith and determination, elements that have been crucial in her journey. As she continues to excel in her role, Rachael Reresi is not only challenging gender norms but also setting a precedent for future generations.

As industries worldwide strive towards inclusivity and diversity, stories like Reresi's illuminate the path towards a more equitable workforce. Her success in the male-dominated field of mechanics at Warrior Industry underscores the importance of perseverance, skill, and the willingness to challenge the status quo.

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How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What positive experiences are highlighted in the personal stories of successful women in construction and maritime industries, especially of female crane operators?

Rachael Reresi is a female role model in the male-dominated industry of mechanics, showcasing resilience and determination in succeeding in her field.

Rachael Reresi is a female role model in a male-dominated industry, inspiring young women to pursue careers in STEM fields, including construction and maritime, by challenging gender norms and achieving success through determination and hard work.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

What positive experiences are highlighted in the personal stories of successful women in construction and maritime industries, especially of female crane operators?

Why are construction and maritime industries more popular with women nowadays?

"Women are breaking into non-traditional roles like logistics, security, and heavy machinery operation, with examples like Stacy Two Eagle's graduation from a diesel program showing their capability to succeed in male-dominated fields."

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

"Women are breaking down traditional gender barriers in male-dominated fields such as logistics, security, and heavy machinery, with examples of determination and success in pursuing non-traditional careers."

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

"Women are taking on non-traditional roles in construction and logistics, including operating heavy machinery, and are breaking down traditional gender barriers to excel in these fields."

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

Why are construction and maritime industries more popular with women nowadays?

variety of opportunities available
changing social norms

"Women are taking on non-traditional roles in male-dominated fields such as logistics, security, and heavy machinery operation, breaking down traditional gender barriers and excelling in these roles."

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are construction and maritime companies doing to promote and aid women in the field?

Why are construction and maritime industries more popular with women nowadays?

Women are taking on non-traditional roles in fields such as logistics, security, and heavy machinery operation, breaking down traditional gender barriers and excelling in these roles.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are construction and maritime companies doing to promote and aid women in the field?

Why are construction and maritime industries more popular with women nowadays?

variety of opportunities available
changing social norms

Stereotypes and biases have traditionally kept women out of construction, but women like Ms Naliaka are breaking through the glass ceiling and navigating their way in the workplace, proving that they can excel in male-dominated roles.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

attitudinal biases at work
having to work harder to prove oneself

Women can break traditional gender barriers in construction and maritime industries by pursuing non-traditional roles and excelling in them, as seen in the example of Rachael Reresi, a mechanic at Warrior Industry

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

Women are breaking down traditional gender barriers in construction through education, determination, and merit-based recruitment, challenging male-dominated industries and paving the way for future generations.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are construction and maritime companies doing to promote and aid women in the field?

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

What positive experiences are highlighted in the personal stories of successful women in construction and maritime industries, especially of female crane operators?

Why are construction and maritime industries more popular with women nowadays?

Women have been underrepresented in the construction industry due to stereotypes and biases, but with more women joining the field, these barriers are being challenged, and women are excelling in traditionally male-dominated roles.

Title:

Content: 3 women helping build tallest residential building on Florida's West Coast: 'I want my name on that'

A tall building under construction in Downtown St. Petersburg is a point of pride for one woman under a hardhat.

"Because it's going to be the tallest [residential] building on the West Coast of Florida and I want my name on that," said Daniela Farias, a recent USF Civil Engineering graduate.

Farias, Sofia Menacho, and Sydney Rocha are among the relatively few women in a field long dominated by men. According to one industry group, only 10 percent of construction industry workers are female.

"I think they may be a little bit discouraged to join this field because of the low numbers.," explained Rocha, a recent architecture graduate.

Daniela Farias and Sydney Rocha work in the construction industry.

All three women are working to help build The Residences at 400 Central. Eventually, the building will rise 46 stories.

READ: New high rise apartment building coming soon to downtown Tampa

Suffolk Construction is in charge of the project, overseeing many subcontractors working in different trades.

"I work with the concrete subcontractors putting in all the steel and the rebar and also the mechanical and electrical and plumbing trees," said Farias.

All three women are in Suffolk's Career Start program. The goal is to diversify the workforce.

"People from different backgrounds, different cultures, different educations, they all bring a wealth of knowledge and experiences that diversify who we are and make us better as a company," said Chris Lewis, Suffolk's Project Executive.

Getting more women in hardhats depends on more girls taking more math, science, and technology courses in school.

READ: Trader Joe’s to open Palm Harbor store

"If a young girl has a role model to look up to, if they see that it's more common, then I think more women would be encouraged to be in the field," shared Farias.

Some say women could be especially valuable because they are better with details, organizing, and design. Whether that's true or not, the thrill of the build seems to cut across the genders.

"I started here in July, and we were on the second floor," said Menacho. "Now we're on the 24th floor. It's amazing."

With a labor shortage in the industry, Suffolk and other companies are looking to fill jobs that were once virtually "men only" with qualified women. As new buildings rise, old barriers could be coming down.

"I think I never had that in my head that I can't do something," said Farias.

Efforts to recruit women may signal a changing mindset in the new buildings that are changing our skyline.

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How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

attitudinal biases at work
having to work harder to prove oneself

Why are construction and maritime industries more popular with women nowadays?

The war in Ukraine has created a shift in the labor market, allowing women to break into traditionally male-dominated fields such as construction, and employers are now more open to hiring women for these positions.

Title:

Content: ua en ru
(not) women's professions.
How the war has changed the labor market, and Ukrainian women are increasingly mastering “male ” professions
The war has replaced the labor market, and Ukrainian women are increasingly mastering “male ” professions (Getty Images)
Author: Spetsproekt
Since the beginning of the full-scale war in many areas of the Ukrainian labor market there is a shortage of personnel.
In particular, there is a shortage of specialists in professions that are usually considered “male ”.
However, employers are ready to attract women to atypical positions, and Ukrainian women more actively respond to such vacancies and undergo retraining.
Meest, ATB and Ferrexpo tell about the professions in which women replace men during the war - in a special project for RBC-Ukraine.
Meest Group: whole women ’ s teams occupying “male ” positions
In the international postal and logistics group of companies Meest, historically, women are an integral part of the team: they work with finance, personnel, marketing, are regional directors and partners.
At the same time, due to the specifics of the work - sorting, transportation, logistics - the linear staff of the company, which is two-thirds of the staff, previously consisted mainly of men.
After the start of Russia ’ s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this began to change.
According to the company, since February 2022, part of Meest has joined the Defense Forces: today, the state is protected by more than 130 employees of the company.
Many were forced to change their place of residence within the country or even go abroad.
“We clearly saw a change in trend around the summer of 2022.
At that time, we were able to solve the most critical issues with the help of employees, adaptation of operational work, etc.
And they restored the recruitment of people to positions that, for one reason or another, were vacant.
We noticed that it is women who respond most actively, including roles that were previously considered purely male, ” the company added.
Since then, companies have begun to attract women, and over the following months this trend has only intensified.
As of now, Meest has formed entire women ’ s teams, occupying “male ” positions.
In total, these are three categories of personnel: employees of warehouses, sorting centers, as well as heads of operational departments.
“If earlier our warehouse teams were more than 80% men, now some units are 70% women.
The distribution of the staff of warehouse centers has also changed significantly - in some areas it is already 50% to 50%, sometimes even with the advantage of female staff.
To do this, the company has changed some operational processes, as well as introduced technology so that women were comfortable working in new conditions, ” Meest said.
At first, the involvement of women in the composition, logistics were treated with caution: the work is extremely difficult both physically and morally.
Within a few months, all doubts were gone.
Women ’ s teams and women show extremely effective work.
The company distinguishes their consistency and structure, as well as elasticity and adaptability.
In general, they are always open to new knowledge and opportunities - and they are strongly supported in this.
The changes also affected the management of the operating departments – now the company has many women in these positions, more than in previous years.
And it is important that in many cases, the leaders grow from the inner team.
For example, during the war, a woman became the head of a branch in one of the regional centers, who had previously worked as an operator at this location - and now performs her own functions without complaint.
“Our plans are to attract women to the posts of couriers.
This area also has its own challenges, because we deliver packages up to 30 kg inclusive.
Therefore, here the company needs to adjust to allow women to work with less weight - and work in this direction is already underway, "the company said.
In the near future, Meest is convinced that the most active will be two categories of search engines – women, as well as veterans and veterans.
They need changes in recruiting and operating processes, so the company is actively working on this: they introduce new technologies and procedures for both women and veterans of both sexes, and for the latter they began to attract psychologists for the purpose of moral support.
“In the end, we see that our people are ready to work and give results under any circumstances.
The main thing is to create comfortable and transparent conditions for them, ” the company concluded.
ATB: the company of strong women
As of today, more than 56 thousand Ukrainians are employed at ATB enterprises, 67% of which are representatives of the fair sex.
Historically, work in grocery retail is considered female, although it requires maximum involvement and dedication.
As the experience of the company has shown, for a Ukrainian woman there is no night impossible.
Leading programmer of the company Kristina Mishchenko at one time made an ascent to the mountain with a height of 6,500 m, set the Ukrainian flag and the ATB flag on the top.
As of today, more than 4.5 thousand ATB employees have joined the ranks of the APU, the Defense Ministry and the National Guard.
If you count only male staff, then about 30% of men are mobilized.
In view of this, women have already adapted, for example, to work as security guards.
On average, almost every store in the network has such an employee.
The number of women involved in what was previously thought to be purely male positions depends on the circumstances, but in some cases it reaches 50%.
The personnel policy of the company is aimed at the development of human resources.
If a woman seeks to become a specialist of an extra-class, to take the coveted position, then a priori cannot be any conventions.
In particular, we are talking about the so-called division into traditionally "female" or "male" positions.
However, it is important to understand that not all women can do men ’ s work.
The complete absence of gender stereotypes in the company proves that more than two thirds of the staff are women.
Among colleagues and business partners, ATB is even called a company of strong women.
“Through dedicated work, the company has withstood the powerful blow of a full-scale invasion, acquired the title of“ network of indestructibility ” and became an outpost of food security of the whole country, ” the company says.
In the ATB, there were many examples of how women work effectively and quickly climb the career ladder in professions that can be considered “male ”, for example, leading key regions, dealing with safety, security, etc.
Also, the company is proud of its training centers in Dnipro, Kiev, Lviv and Odessa.
Annually more than 4 thousand employees undergo free training and improve their skills there.
There are no gender restrictions or stereotypes.
“Women and men gain new skills, master the desired professions, become specialists of the highest level and quickly rise to career levels in the team of the leader of domestic retail.
As for the "male" professions, our women master the specialty of "loader driver".
It is possible to “work ” such physically difficult activities, but such a replacement will be incredibly valuable and very slow.
Therefore, the solution of this issue was taken into their hands by our guardians, ” the ATB stated.
Ferrexpo: support for women 's leadership and decrees for men
Ferrexpo is one of the trendsetters of large Ukrainian business, demonstrating an integrated approach to issues of inclusiveness and gender equality.
In 2022, the company signed the Women ’ s Empowerment Principles to promote gender equality.
Therefore, one of the group's priorities is diversity at the managerial level and the promotion of career opportunities for women.
Since 2020, Ferrexpo has been implementing a comprehensive DE & I strategy, implementing the principles of inclusiveness and gender equality.
Thanks to her, over the past three years, the number of women in leadership positions in Grade 10 + (management staff) has increased by 60%.
The share of women in leadership positions in 2022 was 21%, the goal is to reach the figure of 25% by 2030.
“The introduction of ideas of gender equality has increased the stability of staff, readiness for innovation and the ability to respond quickly to the challenges of the time.
This decision allowed us to strengthen relations with foreign partners, because they are pleased to cooperate with companies where the same level of trust in managers and managers, ” the company said.
According to her, within enterprises, this has allowed to change the views of male skeptics and successfully overcome prejudices against female leaders.
The employees of the enterprises felt their value for the production process, which motivated them to further develop their professional qualities.
Elena Nikolaevchuk-Neroda, who has been working as a driver of motor vehicles in her career at Yeristovsky GOK since 2018, dreamed of driving a car since childhood.
This dream she was able to realize in Ferrexpo.
At one time, Elena was offered a job as a BelAZ driver, and she agreed, although she did not have previous experience driving such a car.
The nuances of work during the internship were taught by experienced mentors.
For 5 years of work, Elena worked in a career on a car, after obtaining a driving license of category C, she began to drive MAZ and KrAZ dump trucks.
Then switched to more powerful Bell and Caterpillar with a carrying capacity of 40 and 90 tons, already has a certificate that allows you to control the 220-ton.
In the future, Elena plans to master other mining equipment - a bulldozer and an excavator.
In addition, the company has a male decree program that allows women to continue their career growth.
If in the family of Ferrexpo employees a woman wants to leave maternity leave earlier in order to continue to grow professionally, a man can take care of the child until he reaches the age of three.
At the same time, the company takes care that the family income does not become less: if a man has a large salary, but goes on maternity leave and the family because of this decreases the total income, Ferrexpo compensates for this amount.
“The hardest thing about the decree is not being able to work, I missed my job very much.
I am grateful to the man who supported my desire to return to the workplace in a year.
This is our second daughter, so I am sure that my husband will cope, and I can safely perform everyday duties, ” admits Olga Romantsova, a specialist in the production department of the foundry and mechanical workshop.
The practice of “male ” decrees is gaining momentum, because the company understands the importance of development for both men and women.
In general, the company will emphasize that the Ferrexpo workforce is a community where everyone has access to equal opportunities - mastering new professions, improving skills, career growth and development of the company, regardless of gender.
In addition, the company received the opportunity to replenish the team with professional personnel (both men and women), especially with regard to vacancies that became critical in the conditions of martial law.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are construction and maritime companies doing to promote and aid women in the field?

Two Eagle, a heavy equipment operator, is an example of a woman who has successfully worked in a male-dominated field, demonstrating her ability to perform as well as her male counterparts.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

A woman, referred to as 'Two Eagle', is an example of someone challenging the male-dominated construction industry by pursuing a career in a field traditionally dominated by men and operating heavy equipment.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

attitudinal biases at work
having to work harder to prove oneself

A woman, Ms Naliaka, is an example of someone challenging the male-dominated construction industry by operating heavy machinery and driving, despite facing challenges such as skepticism and difficulty balancing work and family responsibilities.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

What challenges do women in the construction and maritime  industries face?

attitudinal biases at work
having to work harder to prove oneself

The construction industry is experiencing a shift towards greater gender equality, with women increasingly taking on roles such as crane operators and leadership positions, demonstrating their effectiveness and capabilities in these traditionally male-dominated fields.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are construction and maritime companies doing to promote and aid women in the field?

Unique Thomas, a former film student, has joined the construction industry as a trainee with GRID, becoming an example of a woman challenging the male-dominated field.

Title:

Content: Training for solar industry jobs creating pathway out of poverty for many

The solar industry already employs over 250,000 people, but the industry is also growing and with wages often above the national average, clean energy jobs are creating pathways out of poverty for many.

GRID Alternatives, a non-profit installer of clean energy technologies, is also a place to learn the skills for entry-level solar jobs.

"We're trying to get different people from different backgrounds to bring them into training where its 'Hey you can have a bright future in renewable energy, just come to this program, we'll pay you to learn solar'," said GRID training supervisor David Andrade.

GRID Alternatives provides free solar installation to income-qualified families in communities often underserved. Those same communities are where they find future employees like Rudy Curtis.

"I was nervous, I'm not gonna lie... I was nervous. Something I had no skills in, didn't know the language, didn't know the terminology and I just walked out in faith and I was just like you know what? Let me try it out and, to my surprise, I liked it," Curtis said.

People who have never heard of solar are still paid to learn the tools needed for a career in the industry instead of simply landing a job.

Solar power for free? This nonprofit offers installation, panels, and maintenance at no cost

EMBED More News Videos

GRID Alternatives is a nonprofit working to provide economic and environmental justice through renewable energy, installing solar electric systems for qualifying families at no cost to the homeowner.

"I come from a background that a lot of people wouldn't give me an opportunity in jobs. What GRID does, which I'm thankful for, is that they don't look at your past, they don't look at your mistakes they just look at you here and now and what you want to do and what you bring," Curtis added.

Unique Thomas is a new trainee with GRID.

"Everyone comes from different backgrounds from GRID which I've noticed, like there's... you name it they're there. So it's like a beautiful collaboration."

Thomas is a former film student who decided she wanted something different - something completely new. As the only woman currently on her team, she knows she's an example to others.

"In the beginning, cause it's so different and you're so unique, you're trying to prove yourself like, 'I'm a woman, I can lift the panels, guys. Move I got this' but you're like wait... we are a team and I love that GRID has made me feel very comfortable and very welcoming too."

The job training program is intentionally focused on creating opportunities for women, people of color and those impacted by the criminal justice system, providing hands-on installation training, while creating a workforce known for its high-level skill set.

"It's all over where we can find an untapped populous of individuals who are like me who can actually contribute by learning this and taking it back to their communities and help others make something better of themselves," Andrade said.

Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

What positive experiences are highlighted in the personal stories of successful women in construction and maritime industries, especially of female crane operators?

Meest has created a supportive environment for women to learn and grow in traditionally male-dominated roles, attracting and retaining female employees through changes to operational processes and technology.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are construction and maritime companies doing to promote and aid women in the field?

promote women to higher roles
active recruitment of women

What are unions, professional organizations and non-profits doing to promote and aid women in construction or maritime industries?

ATB provides a supportive environment for women to learn and grow, offering free training and equal opportunities for career advancement, challenging traditional gender barriers in male-dominated industries.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are construction and maritime companies doing to promote and aid women in the field?

Why are construction and maritime industries more popular with women nowadays?

Ferrexpo is a company that promotes gender equality and diversity, with a significant increase in women in leadership positions, making it a supportive environment for women to learn and grow.

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are construction and maritime companies doing to promote and aid women in the field?

Amazon is a company that provides a supportive environment for women to learn and grow, making it a potential fit for women looking to break into male-dominated industries like construction.

Title:

Content: Sara Al Olama: Amazon provides a supportive environment for women to feel safe and do their best in the workplace
T + T - normal size
March 8 is International Women ’ s Day and is an important occasion for Sara Al Ulama, Amazon Channel Team Leader, to celebrate the achievements of women who believe in their abilities and chart their own path, and to inspire Sarah, who believes that unconscious bias in the global workplace can be an obstacle for women to achieve their ambitious goals.
According to the UN ’ s 2023 report, there are fundamental and strong prejudices against women in nearly 9 out of 10 men and women.
Sarah calls for an increase in the number of women in senior leadership positions, with the aim of inspiring young women.
She also talks about Amazon ’ s efforts to support female employees in the company from taking on leadership roles and achieving further growth and success in this path, and explains how Amazon enables female employees to feel safe and provide full support to provide the best in the workplace.
What does International Women ’ s Day represent to you?
For me, International Women ’ s Day is more than a celebration; I see it as a special occasion to highlight the strides we have made in empowering women against prejudice, the achievements we have made so far in breaking down barriers to their advancement, and the distance we still have to travel and the milestones we need to reach in terms of women ’ s empowerment.
On a personal level, I consider this day to be an occasion to recognize the potential of women, their determination to persevere and achieve their goals and their continuous quest to overcome the obstacles they face every day. I also see this day as a platform through which we call to strengthen our collective efforts to challenge discrimination against women and continue to build a world where gender equality is the norm.
Tell us about your position at Amazon and why you chose to pursue a career in the logistics industry.
As Amazon ’ s channel team leader, the nature of my tasks necessitates assistance in the various operations and support areas of the terminal.
This includes coordinating with delivery service providers and point of contact teams to ensure the best possible customer experience.
After returning from my studies in the US and joining the Amazon Logistics team, I started working in a field that is a daily challenge for me, as the logistics sector is a dynamic and evolving field that requires constant innovation and adaptation.
What interests me most is the diversity of the stores every day, and the opportunity to work with specialist teams ranging from health and safety professionals to reliability, maintenance engineering and training and professional development departments.
In a fast-paced work environment, with many tasks and diverse work styles, each day is a unique experience that drives me to learn and grow continuously.
It is also important to highlight the emerging opportunities for women in the logistics sector, especially in light of the long-term dominance of men in the sector.
With the expansion of the e-commerce landscape and the transition of the logistics sector from a traditional to a more important place thanks to the modern digital economy, this transformation has been a paradigm shift and heralds a future in which women have more opportunities to build prestigious jobs and contribute to the growth and development of this sector.
How has Amazon supported you in your career growth and advancement?
Amazon has played a pivotal role in helping me grow and advance my career, providing me with opportunities for continuous learning, mentorship and support programs to address new challenges.
As a participant in the Amazon Future Leaders Program, I received special support that was pivotal to me as an Emirati working at Amazon, ensuring a clear path for my future and career development.
The culture here is based on the premise that every opinion matters and every observation counts and needs to be taken into consideration, which is an incentive for creativity, innovation and initiative to make decisions with confidence and responsibility, which are key factors to help me expand my skill set and advance my career.
Amazon ’ s diverse work environment, which welcomes everyone equally, makes us all feel valued and empowered to deliver our best in the workplace, supporting the company ’ s vision goals that see our diverse backgrounds as a source of strength and innovation.
How important are government policies in providing job opportunities for women and creating the right environment for women to succeed and prosper?
The UAE ’ s wise leadership believes that gender balance is not just about empowerment in the workplace, but is an important driver of progress and prosperity for the country at all levels.
National strategies and policies, such as the UAE Gender Balance Council Strategy 2026 and the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women 2031, contribute to providing an enabling environment for women of all levels of education and experience to access many opportunities in the field of employment, enabling them to contribute effectively to the country ’ s path towards sustainable development and innovation.
By overcoming gender barriers in the workplace, we open up a wealth of resources and potential that lead to greater achievement, the opportunity to gain more diverse perspectives and thus a successful journey led by collective efforts.
What change do you aspire to see that will increase women ’ s participation in the UAE labor market?
I look forward to a future where the number of women in leadership is not just numbers, but the embodiment of active participation that sets a standard for excellence.
I aspire to see a work environment in which women are encouraged to take up positions in the top leadership of companies and organizations, and women's perspectives and opinions form an indispensable part of the decision-making process.
This paradigm shift requires not only confronting the feelings and attitudes of prejudice we may have about our abilities, but also getting rid of those feelings and attitudes, we need a cultural transformation process in which we witness women supporting women, encouraging them to succeed as a success for all women, and working together to eliminate any form of gender bias.
As the country continues to support and nurture a new generation of women leaders, I hope to see more women in senior and traditionally male-dominated positions, more gender-balanced work environments, and continue to invest in training and mentorship programs that support and encourage women, while giving them equal opportunities to move beyond traditional roles to courageously and confidently reach leadership positions, as Amazon has done for me.
On International Women ’ s Day, what is your advice for women, is there a special message for them on their day?
I recently read that studies indicate that 41% of women do not defend themselves, and this motivates me to send a message to all women on International Women ’ s Day that women trust themselves and their ability, have the courage to make bold decisions, and not allow anyone to question their competence and potential.
Email

Amazon is a company that provides a supportive environment for women to learn and grow, with efforts to support female employees in leadership roles and provide a safe and supportive workplace.

The government provides support for female education in trades through initiatives such as educational programmes, vocational training, and inclusive policies.

Title:

Content: Women severely underrepresented in construction, but that’s changing

What you need to know:

  • In nearly every construction site I encounter, the workforce is overwhelmingly male.
  • The term ‘foreman’ is deeply ingrained in our collective lexicon, while phrases like ‘forewoman’ or the more inclusive ‘foreperson’ remain relatively uncommon.

Across the country, construction sites are a hive of activity, with the government’s ambitious affordable housing project leading the charge. Whenever I pass through these bustling sites, I can’t help but notice the workers clad in overalls, their faces dusted with cement powder as they push wheelbarrows brimming with mortar. Amidst this flurry of activity, one figure stands out – the foreman, barking instructions and overseeing the skilled artisans, or fundis, as they are commonly known.

Interestingly, in nearly every construction site I encounter, the workforce is overwhelmingly male. Rarely do I spot a woman among the fundis, save for the occasional food vendor. Historically, the construction industry has been a predominantly male bastion, a fact reflected in the terminology we use – the term ‘foreman’ is deeply ingrained in our collective lexicon, while phrases like ‘forewoman’ or the more inclusive ‘foreperson’ remain relatively uncommon.

While the underrepresentation of women in this field is a global issue, the challenges faced by women in this industry are particularly pronounced in Africa. This gender imbalance reflects a deeper, systemic issue within the construction sector. For too long, this industry has been perceived as a ‘man’s playground’, with women often relegated to peripheral roles or excluded entirely. The reasons for this disparity are multifaceted, ranging from societal norms and gender stereotypes, to a lack of equal opportunities and support systems for women seeking careers in this field.

Limited access to education and training opportunities, particularly in Stem fields, hinders women’s preparedness for technical roles. Furthermore, societal expectations and domestic responsibilities frequently clash with the demanding nature of construction work, making it difficult for women to balance their professional and personal lives. This gender imbalance not only perpetuates inequality but also deprives the industry of the valuable contributions and perspectives that women can bring to the table. However, times are changing, and more women are breaking into the industry, driven by their passion, determination, and desire to contribute to community development. Despite obstacles such as teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and societal pressures, many carved out their place in this male-dominated field.

Their stories are a testament to the power of perseverance and an unwavering commitment to pursuing their dreams. From the high school dropout who found her calling on a construction site, to the young mother who juggled parenting responsibilities while mastering the art of bricklaying, these women have shattered stereotypes and proved that no challenge is too great when met with an indomitable spirit. Through their journeys, they have not only acquired valuable skills and experience but have also become beacons of inspiration for others.

This week, we celebrate these trailblazers, exploring their unique paths and the lessons they have learned along the way. Their stories offer a candid glimpse into the challenges and triumphs that have shaped their lives, from navigating male-dominated workplaces to balancing family responsibilities with demanding careers. As we strive to create a more inclusive and equitable society, it is imperative that we challenge the deeply ingrained biases and stereotypes that have traditionally kept women on the sidelines of the construction industry.

The government can play a pivotal role by implementing initiatives that support and empower women in this field, including investing in educational programmes, vocational training, mentorship opportunities, and inclusive policies that promote gender equality and non-discrimination. This way, we can empower a new generation of women to take their rightful place alongside their male counterparts, ushering in an era of diversity and excellence in this vital sector.

Empowering women in the construction industry can have far-reaching benefits, contributing to the overall advancement of gender equality and sustainable development in the country.

What are governments doing to promote and aid women in construction or maritime industries?

vocational training
inclusive policies
educational programs

There are special grants available for females in trades to help fund their education, which can support women pursuing careers in male-dominated fields like automotive mechanics.

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Content: Women Professionals In The Automotive Industry

For the most part, the world of automotive careers remains dominated by men, but there are plenty of opportunities for women as well as reasons why the automotive field is a good place for women to be. Some sectors of the field are majority women, but even outside this range, cars could simply use more females in the garage, the saleroom floor and behind the wheel.

Dispatcher jobs are one of the few places currently dominated by women. Perhaps because switchboard and telephone operators have historically been women or because of a tendency for women to be pushed into social, customer service or people-focused jobs, its not uncommon for dispatcher courses to be full of women.

If women can dispatch vehicles, they can certainly drive them. There is no reason for truck driving or even sitting behind the wheel of a limo to be a male dominated field other than custom. Critics of females in roles like taxi driver point to the risks inherent in working at all hours with strangers, but women already do that in a plethora of jobs from healthcare to food service. Additionally, for women who worry about safety, a female cab driver may even be seen as a positive thing.

On the other hand, cars have increasingly, at least from an owners side, stopped being a male world. The majority of car owners are now women by a small margin, mostly necessitated by the fact that women as well as men work and require transportation. For many purposes male and female car needs are equivalent, though female car buyers favour smaller and more fuel efficient models.

One of the challenges faced by female car buyers is the occasionally accurate perception that they are not taken as seriously and with car prices being partially negotiable, face higher car prices than men. For women looking for an auto career this presents an easy opportunity to go into sales. Since the field is currently male dominated, female auto sales college grads can sell themselves as the more women friendly option to what will be over fifty percent of their client base.

Additionally, garages are starting to open up to women. Long labeled the bastion of he-man misogyny, no professional garage resembled the chauvinistic stereotype anymore. As with the sales floor, female car owners still need to get their cars serviced and sometimes feel like theyre not sure if they can trust their technician. Automotive mechanic training it open to anyone any you may even be able to get special grants for females in trades to help fund your education.

Regardless of what you pick, if youre a woman, theres never been a better time than now to enter the field.

"There are various grants available to support female education in trades, indicating a positive shift towards greater gender equality and diversity in the construction and maritime industries."

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are governments doing to promote and aid women in construction or maritime industries?

allocate funds
inclusive policies
educational programs

Why are construction and maritime industries more popular with women nowadays?

The underrepresentation of women in construction is a global issue, but it is most pronounced in Africa due to various societal and systemic factors.

Underrepresentation of women in construction is most pronounced in Africa, where societal pressures and obstacles such as teenage pregnancies and early marriages hinder women's participation in the industry.

Female crane operators received safety induction and on-the-job training before beginning their work, helping to break down traditional gender barriers in the construction industry.

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Woman breaks gender barrier to operate Hyva

Subodh Pandey, Vice President, TSM, congratulated the new recruits and interacted with them along with other executives of TSM Sandeep Dhir, Chief, Human Resource Business Partner, Subrata Basak, Chief, Logistics Operation and Suvransu Sekhar Rout, Chief, RMHS & Raw Material Processing Plant, TSM.

Statesman News Service | Bhubaneswar |

Breaking the gender barrier, four women employees are on the strenuous job as Stacker-cum Reclaimer (SCR) raw material handling system (RMHS) at the Tata Steel Meramandali (TSM) in Dhenkanal district of Odisha.

Besides, a woman has been assigned the job for Hyva operator. It is for the first time that female employees will shoulder the responsibilities as SCR operators in Tata steel’s Meramandali unit, the company said in a statement.

Subodh Pandey, Vice President, TSM, congratulated the new recruits and interacted with them along with other executives of TSM Sandeep Dhir, Chief, Human Resource Business Partner, Subrata Basak, Chief, Logistics Operation and Suvransu Sekhar Rout, Chief, RMHS & Raw Material Processing Plant, TSM.

 “We are extremely pleased to have you in our team as this marks a monumental milestone on gender balance among the workforce in the plant. While accelerating our commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, this measure will also encourage more girls to look for such jobs”, Pandey said.

 “As a responsible corporate, we not only strongly believe in the diversity of our human capital but also guide our vendor partners to imbibe our beliefs and contribute to it. This is directed to reimagining how a job gets done, reshaping the team and empowering employees wherever they work”, Basak said while speaking on the occasion.

Breaking the barrier, the female SCR operators with Diploma in Mechanical Engineering underwent safety induction and on the job training, prior to their on boarding for stacking and reclaiming operation, considered mostly as a male-only job, the statement added.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are governments doing to promote and aid women in construction or maritime industries?

vocational training
inclusive policies
educational programs

What are unions, professional organizations and non-profits doing to promote and aid women in construction or maritime industries?

Irene Naliaka advises women in male-dominated industries to be brave, speak up, and ask for help when needed, emphasizing the importance of self-confidence and boldness in overcoming challenges.

The number of female construction trainees grew significantly between 2016 and 2019, with the number of female construction apprentices nearly doubling during this time period.

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Women break into construction sector to fill labour shortages
Bloomberg: The number of construction workers in the United States exceeded 1 million in May last year, for the first time since data collection began in 1964, and the share of women among workers in the sector reached its highest level at 14.1 percent last month.
About a third of construction workers in the United States are Hispanic, according to BLS.
Cerato herself got to know the industry at an early age through her Mexican immigrant father, saying, “I used to go out to work with him, and I never saw anyone like me, so it never occurred to me that it could be a viable career path. ”
The presence of another Latina as a mentor made a big difference, she said, adding: “That ’ s why our representation is important. ”
One of the women is Andy Dirkschneider, who negotiates millions of dollars in loans to buy land for her family ’ s homebuilder, but sometimes vendors call her “petite ” and ask to speak to the man in charge.
Dirkschneider, 32, who heads Brookline Homes in Charlotte, said: “I tell them I ’ m the man in charge.
A young blonde girl doing this job confuses everyone.
It ’ s frustrating, but it can ’ t be allowed to. ”
Dirkschneider and thousands of women like her are breaking through the walls of the professions.
It is not brittle, it is concrete.
The field of construction has always been a world for men, from handicrafts such as construction and carpentry to the offices of developers and executive companies.
The accelerating wave of retirement of the 1960s and 1970s generation has exacerbated the industry ’ s chronic labor shortage.
Construction jobs totaled 440,000 in April, the highest in Bureau of Labor Statistics records that began in 2001.
Aryan Higuish, a senior researcher and fellow at the Women ’ s Policy Research Institute, said there is room for growth, because the construction sector ’ s historical dependence on men now risks constraining its growth.
The institute estimates that about a third of women in the industry work in deals, and their share across sectors such as painting and carpentry is still as small as a tenth, though Higuish believes it will continue to grow.
This is partly because of the need for labor and because states and local administrations want to see more diversity in companies when they are awarded contracts.
Patrice Haley, of the diversity leadership team at construction giant DPR, said: “In this industry, we can ’ t dismiss people on the basis of gender.
“A lot of veterans are retiring, and we can ’ t leave any of the doors closed. ”
One of the temptations for women in the industry, Haley said, was to see what they were building right in front of their eyes, and she had started working in the industry in a manual job that required wearing a helmet and toe boots.
She said, "I can say I worked on this and built that."
There ’ s also the temptation to pay better than many other jobs that don ’ t require a college degree: In 2021, the average salary of an electrician was $59,000 and $98,500 for a construction manager, according to U.S. Department of Labor data.
Taqiya Wallace, 35, works for a large energy company in tracking construction project documents.
But she dreams of getting a license as a general contractor to start working on her own.
In June, I began studying building skills in a 16-week curriculum organized by Goodwill Industries in South Piedmont, Charlotte, where I learned to read blueprints and handle equipment.
If all goes according to plan, she will finish training with four industry certifications.
Although Goodwill does not target women, its organizers say a group of 15 people who completed training last year were all women, about half of whom went on to work in industry jobs.
Wallace, who was the first to receive a college degree in her family, sees getting a contractor ’ s license and hanging a sign for her company as a way to build the wealth she can bequeath to her family.
She said, “I want to be able to tell them this is our legacy. ”
Harassment and discrimination
Despite these encouraging trends, the sector still has a long way to go.
About a quarter of respondents to a survey of 2,635 workers conducted by the Women ’ s Policy Research Institute last year said they had experienced sexual harassment or repeated harassment on the basis of sex.
Half of those surveyed said that their lack of equal treatment by men was frequent or persistent.
Jenny Parker stood at a construction site in High Point, North Carolina, on a very hot day in July, grabbing a paper cup with an iced drink as she looked at her sawdust, paint and sweat stained shirt and said, "I love this.
It took me 10 years to get here. ”
Parker, who spent nine years in the Marine Corps, was upset by the managerial jobs she worked so she could pay her bills while raising her daughter, so she started working hard in real estate.
She signed up for training in building skills so she could repair the rental housing she owned.
At High Point, Parker received hands-on training in building house structures, performing stone work, and installing roofs.
She said she was able to work in partnership with the men on the team, but there were tensions at times, adding: “To be female in a male environment you have to prove yourself and work twice as hard, ” noting that some men do not accept instructions from a woman.
She said, “It ’ s a mindset that men should overcome. ”
Nicole Goulsby, owner of Red Ladder Residential, a construction company in Raleigh, North Carolina, recalls that when she started running worksites, some men ignored her when she addressed them.
She said her experience of bias faded when she distributed her signed paychecks, and she now notes that there are more women on the crews she contracts, whether they ride boards or paint.
Golsby explained that women build relationships easily and are more attentive to details, making them suitable for her field of work.
Nicknamed “Becky Nicky, ” Golsby said,“ I see things that no one else sees, and that ’ s why I do my job well. ”
The construction industry is also attracting more minority women.
An analysis by the Women ’ s Policy Research Institute found that the number of female construction apprentices between 2016 and 2019 nearly doubled, while Latinas recorded the largest increase of any race.
If we look at Ferridiana Cerato who graduated from college in 2020 with a double major in history and Spanish without being able to find any job that would enable her to benefit from her education well, she decided to try construction management.
Cerato took courses and received some certificates, including a certificate in welding.
She is now a project engineer in Indianapolis.
The job requires toughness, the 24-year-old says, with a lot of conversational “that doesn ’ t conform to HR rules ” and dealing with cynicism at times.
Cerato is one of three women in a team of nine managers and the only Latina among them.
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How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?

What are construction and maritime companies doing to promote and aid women in the field?

The percentage of construction workers in the US who are women is 14.1%, indicating a shift towards greater gender equality in the industry.

How has the gender balance in the construction and maritime industries changed over recent decades?

How has the level of discrimination for female employees in the construction industry changed over recent decades?