Women in Construction
DIR supports women’s careers, rights, and safety in California’s construction industry. The resources below are for employers, women in construction, or those interested in a career in construction, to understand their workplace rights and where to find support.
| Resources and Support | Learn more about mentorship programs, child care resources and where to get support. |
| Trade and Training Information | Explore careers in the building, construction and fire trades. |
| Parental Leave and Child Care | Learn about employee leave rights to care for themselves, a family member or a new child as well as identify local childcare resources. |
| Workplace Safety | Learn about rights to a safe workplace and how to prevent injuries and illness. |
| Workers’ Rights | Learn about labor rights and how to take action against wage theft and retaliation. |
| Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment | Learn about how to identify and prevent sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination. |
Share our Women in Construction campaign materials
Events
Considering joining an upcoming event to learn more about careers for women in construction.
- March 1-7, 2026: Women in Construction Week
Find events hosted around California:
www.nawic.org/events/2026-wic-week
- March 7, 2026: She Builds, She Leads, She Inspires
The Northern California Laborers’ Training Center, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
1001 Westside Dr, San Ramon, CA 94583
Register by March 4
- March 8, 2026: International Women’s Day
ILWU Memorial Hall, 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
231 W C St, Wilmington, California 90744
www.ilwu.org - March 11, 2026: Women Build California Summit
Tickets available for members and non-members, 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
2450 Walsh Ave, Santa Clara, California 95051
www.agc-ca.org/event/women-build-california-summit - May 2026, details to be determined
Hosted by California State Building Trades
San Jose, California
www.cabuildingtrades.org - May 5-8, 2026: California Conference on Apprenticeship
Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country
170 Railroad Street
Santa Rosa, California 95401
www.cac-cca.org - October 9-11, 2026: Tradeswomen Build Nations National Conference
Hosted by Trades Future
Houston, Texas
www.tradesfutures.org/initiatives/tradeswomen-build-nations
As part of the 2022/23 Budget Act, Governor Newsom signed into law legislation to create the Women in Construction program at the Department of Industrial Relations. The goal of the program is to support women and nonbinary individuals in entering and successfully working in the construction workforce. Methods to do this include, but are not limited to:
- Assisting and providing resources to women and nonbinary individuals including apprentices and journeypersons in the construction industry
- Developing materials and training for employers and unions to promote recruitment and retention
- Maintaining an internet website on workers’ rights
February 2026