Women In Construction Week 2021 – Pam Haney
Pam Haney | General Superindent & Safety Director
“I’ve been told to leave job sites because workers assumed I wasn’t supposed to be there. It can be daunting to go to a job site and be the only woman, but once the men working see you know what you are talking about, they recognize and respect that.”
What is your favorite part about working in construction?
I love my job. The variety in construction is great. Every project brings new challenges and I like figuring out what I can do to help.
Are there any obstacles you’ve had to overcome as a woman in construction?
I’ve been told to leave job sites because workers assumed I wasn’t supposed to be there. It can be daunting to go to a job site and be the only woman, but once the men working see you know what you are talking about, they recognize and respect that.
Is there anything you think could change to make construction a more inclusive industry?
There needs to be more training for women in trade skills. Women’s work apparel is hard to come by, especially work boots.
What do you hope to see in the future for women in construction?
We need more women mentors in construction to be advocates for young girls. We need more women in construction. There is an industry-wide shortage of women and they are a great resource. Women tend to be better communicators, more level-headed, and pay great attention to detail. There are jobs that don’t require brute strength on job sites, like operating machinery, that women can succeed in.