Let’s Talk Gender Diversity in the Skilled Trade Professions

In the diverse world we live in, there's still not much diversity in certain job fields, with many jobs being male-dominated. For example, only about 40 percent of financial experts are women, less than 25 percent of farmers are female, and less than 20 percent of software developers are women.

The percentages are even lower than that when it comes to skilled trade jobs. Less than 10 percent of women are working in jobs like construction, aircraft, and firefighting. Historically, these types of jobs have been associated with men, but as history has shown, this could easily change.

History of Diversity in Different Professions

Historically, women only worked inside the home while men worked outside the home. This meant that men dominated the teaching and nursing fields, which are usually associated with women today. There were many famous male authors throughout history, but today there are also many iconic female authors.

Women are entering, and even dominating, many different fields of work, but why are they still underrepresented in the trades?

Why the lack of diversity in skilled trades?

Skilled trades are associated with men.

Even today, mechanics, electricians, carpenters, welders, and plumbers are associated with being "men's work" and women just simply don't consider entering into those professions. Women sometimes even face negative reactions from men when they actually do enter into these fields.

Do women even want to work in skilled trade fields?

The idea that women don't want to work trade jobs is more of a misconception. There are plenty of women who absolutely want to work in a trade, and do. Still, there are some who want to and don't, and it's likely due to the reactions of not only men in the field, but the backlash that may come from friends and family members too.

Even the way education is marketed affects how women can see themselves in these fields. Ads are more likely to show men pursuing continued education in HVAC, plumbing, and welding careers while showing women in nursing and culinary positions. The subtle, and maybe even unintentional marketing, subconsciously plants the idea that construction, truck driving, and the like are for men.

Women earn less money than men in skilled trades.

Unfortunately, women earn only about half as much as men earn in skilled trade jobs. Even more unfortunate, this is still true in other fields of work. Also, when it comes to trades, women are seen more in lower-paying trades like cosmetology, while men are seen more in higher-paying jobs like construction.

The Future of Diversity in Skilled Trades

As times change and people evolve, we're likely to see more diversity in trades. We're also likely to see, and are currently seeing, more men in fields that were previously labeled as "women's work".

Looking back to the past, more women in skilled trades wouldn't be a new idea. During the Second World War (WWII) women were working in factories, filling in for the men while they were away at war. So there are many things that can influence diversity in different fields of work.

With the inclusion of STEM and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, (Art), and Math) programs in schools, the future is likely to see more diversity in the workforce in general. Programs like these are normalizing the idea that anyone, regardless of gender, can be successful in any field.

Although we have come a long way in gender diversity, we still have a ways to go. Men are still dominating the skilled trades field of work, with only a small percentage of women working alongside them. Women are also still getting paid less than men working the same jobs. As the times change and our society becomes more accepting, we're likely to see a positive change when it comes to women in the skilled trades profession, women in any profession, and men in any profession.