Championing Women In Construction

Not many people know this but while Sherry grew up in construction it wasn’t something she had considered as a career back then. She enjoyed it and would often help me on the job or around the house. Sherry even wanted to learn how to use different power tools in school. But it wasn’t until she had the chance to help a woman named Gloria who had lost everything in New Orleans, that she really fell in love with this career and wanting to help people. I am so glad she decided to join the trades and is now an advocate for women in construction!

Check out this special Holmes on Homes Episode on Women In the Trades

Sherry Holmes | Start In Construction

Sherry Holmes was 21 years old when she first joined the trades and was one of the few women involved in construction. She loves that she gets to constantly learn new skills! From flooring to tiling and design she’s been able to wear a lot of hats, but it was not an easy journey. In fact, she says she never saw any women on sites. It was a daunting experience at first, but over the years she has seen a change in the trades with more and more women getting into construction.

As she gained skills and confidence, Sherry’s role and interests evolved from helping out with any tasks to taking on more significant responsibilities. I am so happy to see Sherry now overseeing some of our projects. Her journey was not without challenges—she often had to prove herself in a male-dominated industry, but her dedication and work ethic spoke for themselves. She was intimidated on the job site, but learned to ask questions and absorb everything.

Now Sherry has carved out her own path by continuing to advocate for quality work and women in construction.

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Opportunities For Women In Construction

The demand for skilled workers in construction is steadily increasing. We are facing a skilled trades shortage. It’s clear that women belong in the industry now more than ever. I truly believe that women in the trades bring their unique perspectives, skills, and ideas into jobs. I’ve experienced this with my daughter Sherry and the other wonderful women I had the pleasure of working with on our job site.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up only about 10% of the construction workforce. With such a significant shortage of skilled labor, there’s a pressing need for more women to enter the industry.

Changing The Stigma Surrounding Women In Construction

The trades generally have suffered from a stigma problem. I have heard from parents directly that the trades are a fallback career. For decades, construction has been viewed as a male-dominated field. There is a misconception that women are not physically capable of handling the demands of the job. This stereotype discourages women from pursuing careers in the industry, leading to a significant gender imbalance.

Anyone who works in the trades in MY hero. I want to see more and more women challenging the stigma and proving their capabilities in the trades.

READ NEXT: Q&A with Sherry Holmes

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