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Episode Description
Diversity in construction isn’t just about numbers – it’s about creating stronger, more innovative, and more resilient teams. But with construction still being one of the least diverse industries, how do we bridge the gap? In this episode, we explore the current state of diversity in construction, the barriers that continue to limit inclusivity, and the real-world impact of a diverse workforce.
We’ll break down the unconscious biases shaping hiring practices, the challenges faced by underrepresented groups on jobsites, and how inclusion can drive better decision-making, higher profits, and improved safety. Through data-driven insights and actionable solutions, we’ll show how individuals and companies alike can overcome the diversity deficit.
Key Points
- Diversity in Construction
- What is Diversity?
- Current State of Construction: Gender, Race, Age, etc
- Why Diversity Matters
- Barriers to Increasing Diversity in Construction
- Recruitment and Biases
- Culture Towards Diversity
- Hazing
- Harassment
- How to Foster Diversity
- At an Individual Level
- At the Company Level
Episode Breakdown: The Diversity Deficit – What’s Holding Construction Back?
Diversity in construction isn’t just about representation. It’s about unlocking the full potential of teams by bringing together different perspectives, experiences, and skills. But the reality? The industry still struggles with outdated mindsets, hiring biases, and work environments that don’t support inclusivity. What we call the diversity deficit. In this episode, we break down why diversity matters, the obstacles that keep construction from making progress, and how both individuals and companies can take steps toward creating a more inclusive industry.
Where Are We At? Understanding Diversity in Construction
Diversity in construction is like building a structure, every material brings its own strength, function, and value. If a building is made of only one material, it’s weaker, less adaptable, and less innovative. The same goes for teams. When we lack diversity, we lose the creativity, problem-solving skills, and innovation that come from different perspectives.
The Current State of Diversity in Construction
Despite progress in many industries, construction remains one of the least diverse fields. Let’s look at the numbers:
- Women: Only 10% of the construction workforce (2023).
- Race/Ethnicity:
- 60% White
- 30% Hispanic
- 5% Black
- 2% Asian
- Age: The workforce is aging, with fewer young professionals entering the industry.
- Sexuality: 2-5% of construction workers identify as LGBTQIA+.
- Educational Background:
- 50% High School Diploma
- 20% Bachelor’s Degree
- 30% Trade Certifications or Other Education
- 1 in 4 construction workers are foreign-born.
With numbers like these, it’s clear that construction is lagging behind in representation, which directly impacts how teams function and how companies succeed.
Why Diversity Matters
Diversity is more than a buzzword. It drives success. When teams are built with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, they make better decisions 87% of the time and increase company profits. Here’s why:
- Attracting Talent: 76% of job seekers say diversity is important when considering a job offer. In an industry facing a workforce crisis, this matters.
- Improving Communication & Safety: On bilingual job sites, having diverse leadership improves clarity, prevents misunderstandings, and enhances safety.
- Encouraging Creativity & Problem-Solving: Teams with different perspectives find more innovative solutions to complex problems.
- Strengthening Retention: When employees feel included and valued, they are more likely to stay, reducing turnover and labor shortages.
Challenges to Diversity in Construction
If diversity is so beneficial, why is construction struggling to embrace it? Bias, discrimination, and workplace culture play significant roles in keeping construction homogenous.
Hiring Biases & Unconscious Discrimination
- 85-97% of hiring managers rely on intuition, leading to biased decisions (LinkedIn, 2022).
- Blind hiring increases the likelihood that women will be hired by 25-46% (Zippia, 2023).
- Resumes with white-sounding names receive 50% more callbacks than those with Black-sounding names.
Toxic Workplace Culture & Lack of Inclusion
- 42% of workers have seen racist graffiti on job sites.
- 38% have heard verbal abuse or racial slurs.
- 19% of women and nonbinary workers report that they do not receive appropriately sized PPE.
Retention Issues
- Many workers leave due to toxic environments, feeling unwelcome, or experiencing discrimination and hazing.
- Without visible role models, many diverse candidates don’t see a future for themselves in leadership roles.
How Do We Foster Diversity?
Creating a more diverse and inclusive industry starts with awareness, action, and accountability, both at an individual level and a company-wide level.
For Individuals:
Challenge Your Biases – Take time to understand different perspectives and reflect on your own biases. Speak Up – Call out racism, sexism, and discrimination when you see it. Silence enables toxic behavior. Connect With Others – Engage with colleagues from different backgrounds and learn from their experiences.
For Companies:
Inclusive Hiring Practices – Consider blind hiring methods to reduce bias. Invest in Training – DE&I (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) training helps teams understand and address biases. Mentorship Programs – Connect diverse new hires with mentors to help them succeed. Policy & Culture Changes – Enforce anti-discrimination policies and take complaints seriously.
Final Thoughts & Call to Action
If construction wants to attract, retain, and support top talent, we need to rethink how we approach diversity. A workforce that includes different voices is not just the right thing to do—it’s essential for profitability, innovation, and industry growth.
What You Can Do Today:
For Individuals: Start a conversation with someone from a different background and learn from their experiences. For Companies: Conduct a workshop or review hiring practices to identify unconscious bias.
Diversity isn’t a problem, it’s the solution to some of construction’s biggest challenges. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it starts with one conversation, one person, and one job site at a time.
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Sources: The Diversity Deficit – What’s Holding Construction Back?
- Diversity in the Construction Industry
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). The construction industry labor force: 2003 to 2020.
- Retrieved from BLS Spotlight on Statistics
- Workforce Demographics: Gender, Race, Age, and Education
- Zippia. (2023). Construction worker demographics.
- Retrieved from Zippia
- Why Diversity Matters: The Business Case for Inclusion
- LinkedIn Learning. (2023). Diversity in the workplace statistics: The importance of DEI.
- Retrieved from LinkedIn Learning
- Unconscious Bias in Hiring
- Hire (2022). Unconscious biases in recruitment and hiring processes.
- Retrieved from LinkedIn Pulse
- Hiring Discrimination & Inclusive Hiring Practices
- Zippia. (2023). Hiring bias statistics.
- Retrieved from Zippia
- Workplace Discrimination and Harassment in Construction
- OSHA. (2020). Construction diversity: The challenges of inclusion.
- Retrieved from OSHA Blog
- Workplace Safety & Inclusion for Underrepresented Groups
- National Safety Council (NSC). (2023). DEI and workplace injury prevention.
- Retrieved from NSC
