FOX CROSSING, WI (WTAQ) – A local construction company is holding a workshop aimed at attracting females to its industry.
The second annual ‘Build Like a Girl’ event is being held at Miron Construction’s Fox Crossing headquarters Friday.
Vice President of Human Resources Dave Walsh says roughly 40 7th-10th grade girls from local schools and organizations will participate, taking part in a panel discussion with industry females, a safety briefing, and four hands-on work stations.
“They’ll get to frame up a wall, pour some concrete, deal with the masonry brick, and then get to operate some heavy machinery.”
Walsh explains the event’s purpose.
“It’s an opportunity for these girls to flow into a career that not only can make them money and good benefits, but could also be something that they might actually enjoy.”
Walsh notes the goal of the workshops.
“(They’ll) get a real sense of what it feels like to be a professional craftsperson in the industry, to understand what it feels like to lift up a block and put it on the wall or how to pour concrete.”
According to Walsh, there is a notable lack of women in the construction field, including at Miron.
“We have about 1,600 professionals working for us, about 1,200 of those are in the field at any one time. We literally have a handful of woman, maybe 8-10.”
Walsh says each of the 40 participants have expressed some interest in learning more about a construction career.
He notes the event is the same as last year, with the exceptions of more girls and Miron craftspeople taking part.
The event runs from 8 am to 4 pm.
