Courtesy of Sunbelt Rentals
Careers in the construction industry may involve hard hats and safety vests on a jobsite in the field, or they can involve data and spreadsheets in the office. The industry offers job diversity and flexibility—something that many female candidates may not realize.
As the industry looks to recruit labor and better reflect the communities they serve, attracting and retaining more women in construction jobs increases the labor pool—and diversifies it.
FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE
Four women in leadership positions at Sunbelt Rentals share their thoughts on the important skills women bring to the industry and how the industry can do a better job attracting women. Hear from Cheryl Black, senior vice president of culture and engagement; Julie Burton, vice president of human resources; Vicky Gibson, senior director of talent acquisition; and Monica Ziegler, vice president of talent management.
Why is it so important for Sunbelt Rentals to hire female employees?
BURTON: We want our locations to represent the communities they serve, so having a diverse employee base is important. In addition, women can introduce different ideas and perspectives. In an industry that’s traditionally been dominated by men, this can bring whole new ways of thinking. Recruiting women also doubles our candidate pool and helps us get more talent in the door.
BLACK: Having women in roles at Sunbelt Rentals can help us increase innovation. That’s why we are also in the process of introducing a women’s ERG group to our organization: WISE. Women. Inspired. Supported. Empowered. The mission is to provide equitable opportunities throughout our organization and the communities we serve.
What skills do you think women bring to the construction industry?
GIBSON: Women may offer different viewpoints and are typically good listeners, which often translates into them taking time with our customers and asking questions to help find the right solution.
ZIEGLER: Women bring diversity of thought and different insights into problem solving and how we go about creating solutions to grow the business. Another important factor is that they bring a different perspective in terms of mentorship and advocacy. Women really engage with opportunities to be mentors for other people.
What does Sunbelt Rentals do to actively recruit female employees? Are there programs or events that the company hosts?
GIBSON: We are promoting through videos featuring women who work at Sunbelt Rentals, where they talk about their experiences and why Sunbelt Rentals is a good fit. The more we put women and their opportunities at the forefront, the more other women will start considering them as well.
ZIEGLER: We’re doubling down on our career progression stories with women who have had an incredible trajectory, from working in a branch location to higher-level leadership positions. We’re capturing those stories and positioning ourselves as an attractive place for women to work.
BURTON: We also rolled out a paid parental leave program this year. That is for men and women, but we think that’s an important benefit for female applicants.
What type of culture does Sunbelt Rentals have that makes it a good place for women to work?
BLACK: Sunbelt Rentals is fast paced. We’re vibrant. We’ve had so much growth, and people are growing up in this business. I think that makes it more comfortable for women to work and develop their skills here. We’re getting more women in different levels and roles in the organization, so other women can see themselves here. I had a woman tell me recently that she wanted to be the CEO of Sunbelt Rentals one day. We would have never heard that 20 years ago.
ZIEGLER: Coming from 29 years in another male-dominated industry, the culture at Sunbelt Rentals is very engaging. There is a great deal of encouragement and respect and it’s an inclusive environment to try different things to achieve our common goals.
GIBSON: Sunbelt Rentals is very family oriented, and family is the most important thing. Our leaders expect us to put our families first. It’s never questioned.
What do women in leadership positions like yourselves do to encourage other women to grow and thrive?
ZIEGLER: We absolutely help build each other up. When you’re in this type of industry, you need to champion for each other, even if you have different thoughts and different approaches to initiatives. Helping people be confident and speak up and promote themselves—especially in a male-dominant industry.
BURTON: I have worked with so many women throughout my career who supported me and have helped me get to where I am today. I owe it to my team and the women at Sunbelt Rentals to ensure there are opportunities for them to grow and thrive. In the last several years there has been a lot of internal movement within the HR department but also within the organization as a whole, and several women have been promoted and are now in leadership roles. We need to keep that momentum going.
What would you tell women who are considering a career at Sunbelt Rentals or in the construction industry?
BURTON: You can have a great career, both at Sunbelt Rentals and in the construction industry in general. The career potential in the industry is tremendous.
ZIEGLER: It’s a fantastic industry. It’s stable and growing.
GIBSON: That’s why we need to have more programs to specifically target women to get them in the door, so we can change the perception of the industry and spread the word about the opportunities. When a woman is qualified for a seat at that table, she will have a seat at the table just like anyone else.
CLOSING THOUGHT
Throughout the month of March, the focus shifts to women in history, the balancing of men and women in the workplace and in the world. Construction is one industry where women can excel in a dynamic career.
For More Information:
For more information about Sunbelt Rentals, visit www.sunbeltrentals.com.
Modern Contractor Solutions, March 2022
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