More Girls are Picking Up a Hammer in Construction Classes at Learn4Life

The need for skilled construction workers is at a critical point, but despite an increase in female workers, about 90 percent of construction workers are still male. The industry will have to close the gender gap if it wants to meet demand.¹

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Schools like Learn4Life, a network of 80+ public high schools, offer an array of career technical education (CTE) career pathways and growing in popularity are the construction classes, says Nate Larson, construction CTE instructor at Learn4Life. He makes it a point to ensure female students are presented the opportunity and feel included in the class.

“Half our students are girls, and we empower them with the notion that they can certainly design and build just as well or better than the guys in the class. I tell them I met my wife in a construction class,” he said. “My wife didn’t make it her career, but she gained great skills. Recently she decided she wanted a chicken coop, so she bought the lumber and built one. Construction skills are something everyone should have.”

Larson points out that introducing teens to opportunities in construction while they’re in high school can be the ticket to a high-paying job after graduation. Starting hourly wages in construction range from $20 to $36, depending on skill level. Employment of construction laborers and helpers is projected to grow seven percent through 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. According to Associated Builders and Contractors, meeting current demand for construction services means the industry will need to hire 439,000 workers by 2026.²

In Learn4Life’s building and construction trades CTE program, students learn how to read blueprints, properly use hand and power tools, apply construction math, learn the elements necessary to build a house to residential building code, and work on the employability skills necessary to be successful in interviews and employment. Upon completion, students will have earned their OSHA-10 certificate designed to equip entry-level workers with basic knowledge and skills related to workplace safety and health.

Larson enjoys the dynamics between the boys and girls in his class.

“The girls have skills the boys don’t have. They may not be as physically strong, but they tend to be more detail oriented and patient,” he explained. “The girls are willing to listen to direction first, where boys generally want to jump right in. But the boys will listen to the girls, who tend to be the leaders in the class.”

Students who enroll in CTE classes do better in all their classes and are more engaged. Plus, they’re more likely to be employed after high school than those who did not.³

“Those who complete this course will have the basic skills needed to continue education in any trade they choose,” Larson explained. “The course is designed to strengthen a student's understanding, critical thinking and creative skills, and to provide a practical application of material presented in the textbook.”

For more information, visit https://learn4life.org/programs/career-technical-education/.

About Learn4Life

Learn4Life is a network of nonprofit public high schools that provide students personalized learning, career training and life skills. Each school is locally controlled, tuition free and gives students the flexibility and one-on-one attention they need to succeed. Serving more than 64,000 students through a year-round program, we help them prepare for a future beyond high school. For more information, please visit www.learn4life.org.

¹ A Study on Causes of Gender Gap in Construction Management: High School Students’ Knowledge and Perceptions across Genders, by Semsi Coskun, Candace Washington, Ece Erdogmus
² https://www.abc.org/News-Media/News-Releases/abc-construction-industry-must-attract-439000-workers-in-2025
³ https://www.air.org/news/press-release/new-report-finds-positive-effects-career-and-technical-education-high-school

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