Need More Trade Workers?? Try DEI!

How long have employers in the trade industry been frustrated due to a lack of applicants? Is it possible there are untapped pools of potential employees? I imagine so.

I recently saw a video of a female appliance repair person. Maybe you have seen it too on social media. She finally left working in the field in favor of the education part of the trade because no matter how many years doing the work, she was STILL daily dealing with people, primarily customers if I remember correctly, expressing negative views of women employed in the trade industry. Here's a statistic to give you an idea. Only 2% of electricians are women. Another work climate story: In his late teens-early 20's my son was employed by a company that installed specialized roofing material commercially and residentially. One day he came home and shared that a co-worker stated that he wouldn't want a female on their crew. Why? Because he would have to change how he behaves. I'm not exactly sure what behaviors he engaged in, but perhaps it's the behaviors themselves that are the problem and not gender of co-workers.

This attitude towards women in the trades seems pretty prevalent which makes the 2% female electrician statistic make more sense. Many like to argue that since men are "bigger and stronger" and women are "smaller and weaker" it's totally logical that it's overwhelmingly men who work in the trade industries. I have a brother-in-law that is a small guy who happens to work in the trades! We probably all know women who are strong and men who are muscle-challenged. Even if strength was a true factor in the work (which it isn't always) OSHA has guidelines and there are tools that help with all sorts of work. Guys aren't carrying heavy loads all day long. If any worker has lifting restrictions for any reason, there are ways to accommodate. It is expected by law. (Or was ??)

So I don't think arguing size and how much you bench-press shuts the door on ability of women to work in any trade. Besides I think that's just a rationale for keeping women out of certain careers. Why? I dunno. Maybe if they keep the work "men's work," the wages will stay up whereas if more workers could be found wages would come down. Maybe having females working the same job, doing the same work makes males feel less "manly" as defined by social norms? We should look at those social norms if that's the case. It isn't beneficial for humans to define their self-worth on humanly defined measures. Otherwise, whoever makes up the measure wins and everyone else loses.  Actually, that’s pretty much the case, isn’t it.

Regardless, size and strength are determined at least in part by genetics or other physiological considerations. Even if you were described as big and strong, what happens to your sense of self-worth when the day comes you can no longer be described that way. Are you now worthless? Goodness, I hope not! It also runs counter to the idea of success by "working hard." We value hard work. Is there a perception that males in these jobs work harder than females? Now that's just silly! Effort toward achieving a purpose (definition of work) has no bearing on gender.

 Are people of color underrepresented in trade work, too. Yes. For example, only 6% of construction workers are black. One could argue there are more significant numbers of Hispanic workers but either way, upward mobility is fraught with roadblocks, including microaggressions, common slights or digs. The denier would like to believe microaggressions are made up as excuses, but au contraire!

So let’s say one grows up in a predominantly white county. What if a significant number of residents believe that people of color are inherently lazy or unintelligent. How does that translate in the workplace…or anyplace? Same as anytime you think or say, “_______ people are so stupid and lazy!” If you were on the receiving end of that EVER, like when you were a teenager or whatever, you know that it doesn’t help you do a good job. I have heard adults in my younger years expressing that kind of an attitude in some way. Really. You, too? So yeah, it’s a thing.

WHAT IF…the trade industry considered actively recruiting underrepresented workers such as females, people of color or even (gasp) transgender people? What if trade schools actively recruited, or high school programs?? Is it possible, maybe even likely, the shortage of workers would be lessened or even disappear? Maybe there are benefits to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives after all, even if the federal government doesn’t require or monetarily reward such efforts.

Where would we go from there?

Have something to add to the conversation? Please comment or message me!

Source: Working in the Trades as a Person of Color – Service Direct