On September 6, 2024, CM Labs was invited to Build a Dream’s landmark first official office opening ceremony in Windsor, Ontario. The event served as a powerful reminder of the impact grassroots initiatives can have on society.
It celebrated Build a Dream‘s commitment to creating career opportunities for young women and other equity-deserving groups in skilled trades, STEM, and entrepreneurship—industries where they are still significantly underrepresented.
Build a Dream has chosen CM Labs training simulators as a tool to attract and develop top talent to consider careers in the construction industry and get more women working in construction. We couldn’t be more excited to be part of the journey. Continue reading to learn more about the pressing need for more women in construction, and the wonderful work Build a Dream is doing to make this goal a reality.
Build a Dream has been steadily breaking barriers by challenging gender norms and opening up new career paths for people who may not have traditionally considered careers in the trades and other male-dominated fields. The organization’s mission is not just about exposing young women to new opportunities in construction and heavy equipment operation; it’s also about actively changing the workforce landscape and making it more inclusive.
There’s a clear need for Build a Dream’s advocacy. While many strides have been made, the percentage of women in construction is still far below what it could be:
- In Canada, only 7.4% of professionals working in trades, transport, equipment operation, and related occupations are women.
- The Business Statistical Yearbook of Ireland noted that “the Construction sector had the lowest representation of women in senior roles, at 9%.”
- According to The National Association of Women in Construction, “1,173,000 Women now work in construction and make up 9.9 percent of the construction industry in the United States.”
- According to Master Builders Australia, “In 2023, women made up 15 percent of the building and construction workforce, but only about three percent of them were on the tools.”
- Only 11% of construction workers in Brazil were women in 2023.
Now more than ever, the trades face a major labor shortage. According to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), 94% of contractors in the United States are struggling to find workers, and as many as 54% are experiencing project delays as a result. With so much room for improvement and such a pressing need for qualified workers, it’s clear that we need more women working in construction. The success of Build a Dream has the potential to ripple throughout the country and the world, setting a national example for how communities can foster inclusivity, innovation, and sustainable economic development.
One of the most exciting developments showcased at the event was the launch of Build a Dream’s new Mobile Simulation Training Trailer from CM Labs. This mobile trailer allows young women to engage in hands-on learning experiences across the construction industry, giving them the practical exposure needed to make informed career decisions. By offering these immersive experiences, Build a Dream helps break down preconceived notions about what is “appropriate” work for women, showing that they can thrive in roles traditionally dominated by men and become heavy equipment operators, for example.
At CM Labs, we’ve seen simulation succeed as a recruitment tool many times. With simulation, a high school student can try different pieces of equipment and gain a true sense of the types of tasks they’d complete within this career path. After trying a simulator, the idea of operating heavy equipment becomes grounded in real experiences, as young women can see for themselves that they do have the talent and aptitude for this career path. The realization that they too could operate such equipment is a powerful one that can help pave the way for more women in the construction industry.
More than that, though, simulation provides an introduction to heavy equipment operation that many underrepresented groups wouldn’t normally have access to. Without any previous exposure to heavy equipment, stepping into the cab for the first time can be all the more challenging. With simulation, that barrier to entry is addressed and young people have an easier time accessing rewarding, lucrative careers in construction.
The grand opening of Build a Dream’s Windsor office is a significant milestone for the community, representing a transformative move toward a more equitable and inclusive workforce. As a result of Build a Dream’s hard work, local communities will get to see more women heavy equipment operators, women entrepreneurs, and women in STEM careers.
This initiative’s impact will resonate far beyond Windsor, and its efforts will continue to uplift and inspire future generations, creating a society where opportunity and success are available to all, regardless of gender or background.
Would you like to learn more about how simulation helps bring the next generation into careers in construction? Check out our on-demand webinar: Building the Next Generation of Construction Workers Using Simulation Training Technology.
