Skilled trades like construction, welding, and electrical work have long been seen as male-dominated, but that’s changing. More women are joining these fields, drawn by strong salaries, job security, and hands-on careers—yet they still make up only 9.9% of the construction workforce (BLS, 2024).
Not only are skilled trades in high demand, but women in these fields earn 30% more than those in traditionally female-dominated jobs like retail or administrative work. With a projected shortage of 2 million trade workers by 2030, now is the time to create more opportunities for women to enter and thrive in these careers.
Workforce development programs—like BlueCareer from EBSCOlearning—are playing a key role in closing the gender gap. By offering career exploration, training, certification prep, and job placement tools, BlueCareer helps women gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in high-paying, hands-on professions.
Here’s a closer look at the challenges women face—and how BlueCareer from EBSCOlearning is helping solve them.
Barriers Women Face—And How BlueCareer Helps Overcome Them
While opportunities are growing, women in skilled trades continue to encounter significant obstacles:
Gender Stereotypes & Bias
The Challenge: Many women still encounter outdated perceptions that skilled trades are “men’s work.” In fact, 61% of women in the trades report experiencing bias in the workplace (National Center for Construction Education & Research, 2024). This can make it harder for women to secure job opportunities or advance in their careers.
How BlueCareer Helps:
Career Awareness & Exploration
Confidence-Boosting Skill Development
Impact
Limited Training & Career Guidance
The Challenge: Many women don’t have access to skilled trades education and career guidance early in life. Traditional schooling often promotes four-year college degrees over vocational training, leaving women unaware of the financially rewarding opportunities in trades.
How BlueCareer Helps:
Personalized Career Exploration
Comprehensive Training & Certification Prep
Impact
Workplace Culture & Retention Challenges
The Challenge: 47% of women in trades leave within five years, often due to lack of mentorship, discrimination, or an unwelcoming work environment (Institute for Women’s Policy Research, 2023). Many women report feeling isolated in male-dominated workplaces.
How BlueCareer Helps:
Mentorship & Community Support
Soft Skills & Leadership Development
Impact
Job Placement & Advancement Opportunities
The Challenge: Even after gaining skills, finding the right job and career advancement opportunities can be difficult, especially for women entering a male-dominated industry.
How BlueCareer Helps:
Resume & Job Search Tools
Career Growth Resources
Impact
The Future of Women in Skilled Trades
The future is brighter than ever for women in skilled trades. With increasing industry demand, growing support networks, and workforce development tools like BlueCareer, more women are gaining the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed.
📢 Want to check out the platform? Discover how BlueCareer from EBSCOlearning can help women explore career pathways, gain certifications, and connect with job opportunities in skilled trades.
💡 Know someone who could benefit from this? Share this blog and help us build a more inclusive workforce!
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