The Future of Construction: How Build California is Cultivating a Diverse Workforce

California’s construction industry is thriving! Did you know the Bureau of Labor Statistics identified construction laborer as one of the occupations with the largest projected increase in jobs in the U.S.? However, women only make up 4% of apprentices in the building and fire trades nationally. In order for California to meet the demand of this infrastructure building, it is imperative that we ensure that women are included in these economic opportunities. To close the gap, the Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship Grant (ERiCA), administered by the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) distributed twenty-five million dollars to increase opportunities to enter and stay in high-paying jobs in the construction industry for women, non-binary, and underserved communities to cover the costs of child care and bolstering outreach.

As an ERiCA grant awardee, Build California is a comprehensive and innovative statewide initiative aimed at inspiring, engaging, and activating the next generation of construction professionals through registered apprenticeship. This initiative is led by Associated General Contractors of California (AGC CA) through the AGC Construction Education Foundation (AGC CEF).

Through their outreach efforts, Build California aims to reframe the perception of the construction industry as a field that is welcoming to women and all.  Join AGC for their 2024 Build California Ambassador Virtual Forum on January 24,2024 and learn what sets Build California apart with its unique approach to workforce development, ensuring the construction industry can effectively connect with the upcoming generation.

To learn more about Build California Visit: Build California – Learn more about careers in construction

January 2024