The construction industry has long been a male-dominated line of work, with men traditionally occupying most positions from laborers all the way up to company leadership. As a woman-owned business, National Demolition Contractors is doing our part to recognize and encourage the growing role of women in construction, thanks in part to great organizations like Women in Construction Operations (WiOPS) and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE). We all know that the construction industry is not an easy job for anyone, but there are still some additional hurdles for women who want to pursue careers in construction, and along with these organizations, we’re doing our part to help break down those barriers.
Women in Construction Operations is an organization that highlights the contributions of women who work in an operational capacity in the construction industry. The regular meetings held by WiOPS are structured as meet and greets, and they’re hosted by different companies that participate in the WiOPS program. They highlight the capabilities, operational capacities, and functions of women in construction operations, and provide support for female-owned businesses in our industry. WiOPS provides a key service to acquire subcontractors, identify and promote women who hold general contracting licenses, and empower women to thrive in a variety of roles across the construction industry.
Women’s Business Enterprise provides certifications for women-owned businesses, which are then used to get work at job sites all across the country ― not just for public works, but on private jobs as well. Having our WBE certification really sets us apart from other companies in the construction space, especially because many major corporations call for a certain percentage of their work to be awarded to WBE-certified businesses. For example, Shell requires that a portion of the work for any job they have available must be completed by women-owned businesses.
Here at National, we take great pride in our involvement with both WiOPS and WBE. Obviously, thanks to these organizations, we’re eligible for quite a bit of work that we otherwise wouldn’t have access to, which is a tremendously important benefit. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the value of our membership in WiOPS and WBE.
As the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the United States, Women’s Business Enterprise promotes and advocates for female entrepreneurs in all sorts of different industries. Their conferences and business fairs empower women to take control of their careers, and to make connections with other female-owned businesses that can help them excel in their chosen industry. As for Women in Construction Operations, their services go well beyond networking events, as they’re also deeply involved with mentorship and education for women in construction, which increases the amount of women who have the background necessary to excel in our industry.
National Demolition Contractors believes that all people should be empowered to pursue whatever career they feel is best for their personal growth, no matter which demographics you belong to. For us, the construction industry is all about working hard and fostering a family-oriented atmosphere ― it shouldn’t matter whether you’re a man or a woman, when what really matters is your ability to contribute meaningfully to our business and our way of life. Thanks to our involvement with WiOPS and WBE, we’re able to do our part every day to lift up women-owned businesses across the industry.