TAMPA — Despite being in a pandemic, there is one industry that continued to add jobs throughout the summer and into the fall and that’s construction, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
Yet 90 percent of that industry continues to be dominated by men.
“I never saw myself on a construction site and never would have imagined it either,” said Lina Castro.
In a matter of four years, Castro has worked her way up from an administrative assistant to project manager with InVision Advisors. She is currently overseeing the construction of 50 town houses in Tampa.
“Typically on construction sites, women are very few and far between,” said Castro.
However, Castro really hopes to change this trend. She says with so many women finding themselves out of work due to the pandemic, a career in construction needs to be at least given some serious thought.
“The design and construction world are taking a different lead into a more technology-based, so it's not all manual labor,” said Castro.
She said construction jobs aren’t only a stable option during economic uncertainty, but they pay well and you don’t need a college degree.
“COVID is not stopping construction as long as all protocols are in place,” said Castro. “You are in control of your destiny, the harder you work, the more you study and perfect your craft, the better you will be.”
Castro said she has seen more women on job sites in the last few months and hopes it’s not just a pandemic fad, but a sign of things to come.
“I can tell you, more women are getting involved and hopefully soon, women will take over,” said Castro.
