Current Status:

Failed

(2024-03-07: Read. Adopted. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 3254.))

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Enacted

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Version:

WHEREAS, In 1987, Congress declared March as national Womens History Month in perpetuity, and since then, the industry has celebrated women in construction during the first week of March; and

WHEREAS, The focus of Women in Construction Week is to highlight women as a visible component of the construction industry; and

WHEREAS, The continuous progress of our economy requires full participation and support of all citizens, regardless of gender, race, or ethnic background; and

WHEREAS, The workforce in California is becoming increasingly diversified and for this states construction industry to remain competitive in the global economy, it must also diversify its workforce by attracting significantly more women into the industry; and

WHEREAS, Despite a significant increase in womens employment in construction over the past 10 years, today women make up just 11 percent of all workers in the construction industry, a figure that includes office and clerical positions, and only about 4 percent of workers in the trades. As a state, we should support policy efforts, such as Chapter 675 of the Statutes of 2018 (Assembly Bill 2358) and Chapter 722 of the Statutes of 2019 (Senate Bill 530). We aim to make construction job sites safer and more welcoming to women; and

WHEREAS, The construction industry in California has tremendous need for skilled and motivated workers, managers, and entrepreneurs from all segments of the population; and

WHEREAS, The construction industry must strive to educate and inspire parents, educators, and career counselors to encourage Californias youth to enter into rewarding career opportunities in construction; and

WHEREAS, Rising costs of higher education and evolving employer workforce training needs make apprenticeship an increasingly important career pathway without the burden of student loans; and

WHEREAS, Women face many barriers to entering and staying in the construction field and have historically been excluded from apprenticeship opportunities that lead to meaningful careers with family supporting wages; and

WHEREAS, Apprenticeships are a critical pathway for women to participate fully and equally in Californias growing economy; and

WHEREAS, According to data from the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, joint labor-management building trades apprenticeship programs collectively graduate over 90 percent of women apprentices in Californias state-approved apprenticeship system; and

WHEREAS, The development of women-owned business enterprises will benefit all members of the workforce through the creation of meaningful and productive jobs; and

WHEREAS, Research has shown that gender diversity is associated with increased performance, innovation, and opportunity. Having more women entrepreneurs and small business owners operating in the construction industry will only benefit the working conditions for women across all industries; and

WHEREAS, Women represent an untapped resource, and activities to improve womens recruitment and retention in skilled construction jobs is critically important in helping to close the workforce skills gap, build the middle class, and help meet the needs of the 21st century; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate proclaims March 3, 2024, to March 9, 2024, inclusive, as Women in Construction Week and requests that the Governor issue a proclamation calling on the people of the great State of California to observe the week with appropriate programs and education activities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.