1. Department of Industrial Relations

Women in Construction

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DIR supports women’s careers, rights, and safety in California’s construction industry. The resources below are for employers, women in construction, or those interested in a career in construction, to understand their workplace rights and where to find support.

In California, all workers have rights – no matter the job, and regardless of sex, race, gender, immigration status, and other protected characteristics (actual or perceived).
Resources and Support Learn more about mentorship programs, child care resources and where to get support.
Trade and Training Information Explore careers in the building, construction and fire trades.
Parental Leave and Child Care Learn about employee leave rights to care for themselves, a family member or a new child as well as identify local childcare resources.
Workplace Safety Learn about rights to a safe workplace and how to prevent injuries and illness.
Workers’ Rights Learn about labor rights and how to take action against wage theft and retaliation.
Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment Learn about how to identify and prevent sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination.

Share our Women in Construction campaign materials

Presentations and Workshops hosted by: State Building Trades & Construction Trades Council

Events

Considering joining an upcoming event to learn more about careers for women in construction.

Presentations and Workshops
Hosted by: State Building Trades & Construction Trades Council

  • October 22, 2026: Reigniting the Fire Within: Mitigating Burnout & Stress
    Zoom link Zoom Meeting ID: 841 8145 9134 Passcode: 929953
  • November 19, 2026: Getting Unstuck: 10 Tips for Fighting Depression and Anxiety
    Zoom link Zoom Meeting ID: 829 7321 4545 Passcode: 429740
  • January 21, 2027: Peer Mentorship Bootcamp Workshop
    State Building Trades Office Sacramento, 1231 I Street
  • February 18, 2027: We’ve Got Your Back: Cultivating a Psychologically Safe Culture at Work
    Zoom link Zoom Meeting ID: 824 8141 8868 Passcode: 304725
  • April 15, 2027: Up on a High Wire: Mental Resilience During Tough Times
    Zoom link Zoom Meeting ID: 835 9229 2392 Passcode: 362140

Women in Construction Events Archive

As part of the 2022/23 Budget Act, Governor Newsom signed into law legislation to create the Women in Construction program at the Department of Industrial Relations. The goal of the program is to support women and nonbinary individuals in entering and successfully working in the construction workforce. Methods to do this include, but are not limited to:

  • Assisting and providing resources to women and nonbinary individuals including apprentices and journeypersons in the construction industry
  • Developing materials and training for employers and unions to promote recruitment and retention
  • Maintaining an internet website on workers’ rights
In addition, the legislation established a Women in Construction advisory committee within DIR to make recommendations to advance the objectives of program.

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September 2026