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October marks Careers in Construction Month, a nationwide effort championed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to shine a light on the rewarding and vital careers in construction that build our communities.

Why This Month Matters

• High demand in the building industry. From carpenters and electricians to project managers and architects, the construction sector in Pierce County and across Washington continues to grow, and with that, so do the opportunities for ambitious professionals.
• Careers beyond the jobsite. Many rewarding roles in construction aren’t limited to building homes or jobsite labor. You’ll find careers in planning, design, sales, marketing, sustainability, safety, and more, all of which are vital parts of the Pierce County home building industry.
• Diversity and inclusivity in construction. The construction industry offers career paths for people with different skills, educational backgrounds, and interests. There’s space for creativity, problem-solving, and leadership, whether you’re looking to join a Pierce County home builders association or start as a trades professional.

How NAHB Encourages Engagement

The NAHB provides a toolkit for associations, chapters, and individuals to celebrate and promote careers in construction. Some suggested events and themes include:

• Proclamations — Encourage local governments to officially recognize October as Careers in Construction Month.
• Outreach to youth — Partner with Boys & Girls Clubs, local schools, and student chapters to introduce students to the many construction industry opportunities.
• Young Professionals Week — A dedicated week during October for mentorship, networking, and professional development aimed at young people entering the construction industry.
• Careers in Construction Day — A day for volunteering, site tours, or public events to celebrate the people building homes and communities in Pierce County.
• Social media & storytelling — Share real stories, photos, and videos of professionals in construction, highlighting the pride, skill, and craftsmanship they bring. Use hashtags like #CareersInConstruction and #CICM2024.

Tips for Organizations & Individuals Eyeing Construction Industry Opportunities

1. Be visible. Post on social media, host open houses or job site tours, or invite local schools to visit a project under construction.
2. Tell those stories. Spotlights on real workers—why they chose the field, what they do day to day, and how their careers have grown—are powerful recruitment tools.
3. Make it interactive. Consider hands-on demonstrations, mock tool stations, virtual reality tours, or “try a trade” workshops at Pierce County events.
4. Build partnerships. Collaborate with schools, workforce programs, industry associations, and civic leaders to broaden your reach and attract young professionals in construction.
5. Measure impact. Track engagement, signups, media mentions, or new applicants to see what tactics resonate for future years. 

Key Takeaways: Careers in Construction Month

• Construction careers are in high demand across Pierce County and Washington, offering opportunities in both skilled trades and professional roles.
• NAHB and the Master Builders Association of Pierce County provide resources, toolkits, and community engagement to promote the industry.
• Events like Careers in Construction Day and Young Professionals Week help inspire and educate the next generation of builders.
• Organizations and individuals can get involved through storytelling, outreach, partnerships, and interactive experiences.
• October is the perfect time to highlight construction as building sustainable careers, communities, and legacies.

Join NAHB & MBA Pierce County in Building Careers & Communities

If you’re in or considering a career in construction, October is a great time to engage, volunteer, share your story, or host an event. Together, let’s build awareness and inspire the next generation to see construction not just as building structures, but as building careers, communities, and legacies in Pierce County and beyond.

In a significant stride towards promoting diversity and inclusivity within the home building industry, the Master Builders Association of Pierce County has launched our chapter of Professional Women in Building (PWB).

PWB is dedicated to uniting, mentoring and empowering women in the building industry, fostering a community that thrives on collaboration and shared success for all. Through targeted programs, events and educational initiatives, PWB is poised to make a lasting impact on the industry landscape, driving positive change for women to excel in their professional journeys.

As the construction and building sector undergoes transformative shifts, the establishment of Professional Women in Building not only marks a milestone in the pursuit of gender equality but also recognizes the invaluable contributions women bring to the field. By cultivating an environment that values diversity, innovation and collaboration, the council is poised to elevate the industry to new heights.

As more women gain access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities through PWB the hope is that the building industry will witness a surge of talented and empowered women who will play instrumental roles in shaping the future of construction, design, and development.

The Professional Women in Building’s launch event is set to take place at the Tacoma County & Golf Club on April 4^th. It will be followed up closely by the All Women Build Day for Habitat for Humanity on May 10th. There will also be PWB events on July 31^st, October 17^th, and the Council Holiday Social in November. For more information on the council and their events, reach out to afleming@masterbuilderspierce.com.

Master Builders Association of Pierce County is happy to celebrate National Women in Construction Week. This week we are highlighting some of the women in our association, talking about workforce solutions and announcing an all-women event coming in May.

Here are just a few reasons why celebrating National Women in Construction Week is important to the industry and our community.

What is the percentage of women working in the industry?

According to the Department of Labor, in 2022, women held 50.4% of all the jobs in the United States. Experts also expect this trend to continue upward and accelerate while the number of men in the workforce continues to decline.

Although women make up over 50% of the total workforce, only 10.9% of construction or skilled trades workers are women.

Workforce Solutions

There is a need for more skilled trades workers all across the United States. According to the Home Builders Institute, from 2022-2024, there needs to be 2.2 million net hires to keep up with demand.

Getting more women into the trades could be an answer to the workforce shortage.

How do we encourage women into the trades?

Women learn from a young age, what careers are available to them. It is important to use inclusive imagery and language when discussing futures with all children. For example, studies have shown that kids as young as four years old notice gender roles and begin acting on behavior they think revolves around that determined role. Something as easy as showing books that have both men and women in construction jobs, providing educational activities and toys like Legos, coloring pages and building birdhouses to all children in the home and at school.

As an employer, making sure your job applications and job duties do not specify any perceived gender. If your job roles keep general language including using the phrases like “the applicant”, “the employee “or using the job title to explain the necessary traits needed to succeed in the role, it is more inviting for someone applying.

Also, ensure proper fitting PPE for all people on your jobsite is key. Most PPE come in standard sizes and could be ill fitted to your employees no matter the gender. Guaranteeing proper safety and practices will assist the comfort of any applicant to a role. All of these practices above can assist in easing some hesitation or concern when applying or looking at the skilled trades as a career.

Master Builders Promise

The Master Builders Association of Pierce County celebrates National Women in Construction Week. Master Builders is dedicated to educating, informing and advocating for the home building industry and their needs. As a resource to the community in Pierce County, Master Builders promise to continue efforts in workforce development to be a part of the solution in closing the labor shortage gap.

Just last October, Master Builders donated 20 copies of the House that She Built book to local families, schools and care centers across the county.

Master Builders also have partnerships with local trade schools, skills centers and high schools to show all students the careers available to them in construction.

If you have a passion for assisting in building the next workforce and would love to sit on the Workforce Development Committee, please contact Advocacy Associate Alex Harrington at aharrington@masterbuidlerspierce.com.