Massachusetts Celebrates Women in Construction Wee

 Massachusetts Celebrates Women in Construction Week

Healey-Driscoll Administration highlights and promotes the role of women in the construction industry 

UPTON — The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) joined Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT) this week to celebrate Women in Construction Week, a national and state recognition to promote the role of women in the construction industry. 

 

“In Massachusetts, we know the importance of building a workforce that reflects the talent and potential of all of our communities. Women in Construction Week is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of hard-working women across the industry, from the skilled trades to project management, said Governor Healey. “By expanding access to training, registered apprenticeships, and career pathways, we are ensuring that more women can enter and succeed in these good-paying, family-sustaining jobs. A diverse and inclusive construction workforce is good for our families and our economy.”

 

“Our Administration is proud to celebrate Women in Construction Week because expanding opportunities for women and historically underrepresented groups strengthens our workforce, fuels economic growth, and opens doors to sustainable careers”, said Lt. Governor Driscoll. “I'm grateful for the training programs dedicated to empowering workers and expanding opportunities. Their commitment helps ensure that Massachusetts continues to lead in building a skilled, diverse, and inclusive workforce.”

 

During a visit to BVT, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones toured the school’s hands-on learning construction training programs and met with girls in the high school’s construction programs. Building on Governor Maura Healey’s signing of an Executive Order in December 2024 to promote Women and Diversity in Construction, today’s visit by Secretary Jones underscored the Healey-Driscoll Administration's commitment to building diverse talent pipelines for the construction industry in Massachusetts. BVT is a partner of Massachusetts Girls in Trade, an organization that encourages girls to pursue careers in the construction trades.

 

“Women in Construction Week is an opportunity to showcase the amazing women in construction, celebrate increased exposure for girls to learn about careers in construction, and encourage women to join the industry,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “Through the recent Executive Order, continued investment in Registered Apprenticeship, and great partnerships, we are working every day to increase access to training and career opportunities right here in Massachusetts for women and people of color.”

 

The Executive Order also establishes a Diverse and Equitable Construction Workforce Participation Committee within the Governor’s Office for facilitating interagency collaboration and identifies and encourages best practices for state agencies to encourage equitable workforce participation in construction, such as utilizing registered apprentices, hiring local businesses and those with a record of hiring women and underrepresented groups, and encouraging contractors to provide supportive services like child care. The Committee will also work with state agencies on data collection to measure the workforce participation of women and underrepresented groups. Secretary Jones serves as Chair of the committee, which will convene for its first quarterly meeting in March. 

 

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been dedicated to opening doors, empowering women, and helping shape a stronger, more inclusive workforce,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “Massachusetts offers several educational pathways for construction careers, including pre-apprenticeship programs, Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, and registered apprenticeships. Women in Construction Week should be about broadening horizons and challenging stereotypes.”

 

"It was an honor to welcome Secretary Jones to our campus for an in-depth look at career technical education during Women in Construction Week," said BVT's Superintendent-Director, Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick. "It was an ideal opportunity to visit programs in our construction pathway and meet female students in these trades. Our students demonstrate high-level technical training with modern tools and equipment acquired through the state's Capital Skills Grant program, which they will use in their construction industry career."

 

“As we celebrate Women in Construction Week, the Massachusetts Building Trades Union is proud to recognize the progress we’ve made and the work still ahead to ensure every woman who wants a career in the trades has the opportunity to succeed” said Frank Callahan, President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Union. “I look forward to continuing our partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to expand opportunities, strengthen our workforce, and build an even more diverse and inclusive union membership.” 

 

Following her visit to Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational School, Secretary Jones toured the Blackstone Valley HUB for Workforce Development and met with learners in the Grafton Job Corps Advanced Manufacturing training program. The Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development, established in 2018, provides a centralized location for students to gain the technical and employability skills needed to meet the needs of the region and beyond. The HUB partners closely with the MassHire Central Regional Workforce Board on many state-funded initiatives, including managing the YouthWorks summer and year-round youth employment programs for income teens and young adults in the Blackstone Valley area – helping support 116 youth in getting paid work experience with local employers and the School to Career Connecting Activities program.  

“BV Hub is thrilled to welcome Secretary Jones during Women in Construction Week as we highlight the critical role of women in the trades within our broader workforce development initiatives,” said Joscelyn Young, BV HUB Vice President. “BV Hub remains committed to strengthening workforce development and fostering economic mobility by providing vocational training, career exploration, and hands-on experiences to 21 regional school districts, regional organizations, various industry partners and the broader community. We deeply appreciate the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ investment in these initiatives, which drive meaningful and transformational outcomes for families, businesses, and our regional economy.”

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has also made strategic investments in Registered Apprenticeship, a proven, effective model in construction and trades in Massachusetts that helps address skills gaps, recruit apprentices, and build a diverse pipeline for construction and other high-demand industries. In November, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $3.2 million in Grants for Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in Workforce (GROW)  to 29 organizations to train and place 514 apprentices across the state. In January, Governor Healey’s FY26 budget proposal recommended $3.3 million for registered apprenticeship programming to increase its use in all sectors and build a coordinated set of pre-apprenticeship programs. 

 

EOLWD’s Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) is responsible for promoting, developing, and servicing registered apprenticeship programs in Massachusetts. DAS maintains more than 800 apprenticeship programs with over 11,000 apprentices currently working with the vast majority in construction but a growing number of apprentices in the building trades, and expansion industries such as manufacturing, life sciences, and health care. 

 

More information about Registered Apprenticeship is available at Mass.gov/Apprenticeship.