Wanted: Heavy Machinery Operators & More Tool Belted Women in Construction Trades

From the “Rosie the Riveter” posters during WW II to Ripley’s metal suited final battle against the mother-alien in “Aliens,” the depictions of tool wielding and heavy machine operating women are epic, and inspiring.

“Rosie” was, in fact, designed for exactly that purpose, to inspire. In 1940, women made up about 27% of the workforce. But as the war escalated, the U.S. government and multiple industries actively recruited women, often into traditional “men’s work” including manufacturing and construction. A total of 6.5 million women were in the workforce during the war, a nearly 50% increase from pre-war numbers.

But as popular as “Rosie the Riveter” was, and as necessary as women were to the US economy and the war effort during WWII, “Rosie” was told to put down her tools and go home when the war ended. These were men’s jobs again.

As for heavy equipment operations, despite the ferocity of Ripley’s unusual and effective use of her mechanical lifting suit in 1986, women were not actively sought after by the construction industry. In fact, in 2023 women made up less than 3% of the construction equipment operator workforce.

So why is the fiction so much better than the reality when it comes to women in the construction trades buckling up a tool belt or operating heavy equipment?

Lack of representation of women in the construction trades is a concrete barrier

For many women, the road into the construction trades is blocked before it begins. A lack of education about, and exposure to, women in jobs such as heavy equipment operation continues to plague the industry. When efforts are made to address this issue, awareness campaigns still often leave misconceptions – like the perceived physical demands of the work – unchallenged.

For instance, contrary to common perceptions, success in heavy equipment operation depends more on mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills than brute strength – as demonstrated by Ripley so clearly in “Aliens.”

In the real world, problem solving was a large part of Caterpillar’s skills test at the 2024 “All-Female Operator Competition.” The competitors performed tasks and navigated courses using three different machines – a small excavator, a small wheel loader and a compact track loader.

This same group of women equipment operators also shared their challenges, pointing out that female workers often feel heightened scrutiny in male-dominated environments. “You have to be perfect every time to be respected,” one woman said, according to an article in “Construction Equipment.”

The pressure to outperform peers to gain credibility is just one obstacle. The need to continuously demonstrate your experience and advocate for yourself and other women is another common demand on women in construction trades.

But women in the trades, climbing into machines or walking job sites tools in hand, are passionate about their jobs. NAWIC’s 2025 Tradeswoman of the Year, Sammy Cossairt, is a tower crane operator for Maxim Crane Works in Nashville. She said that tradeswomen share, “the same fire in their belly – they thrive on working outside, have a great work ethic and make a living out of it.”

How to get more women into construction trades, including as heavy machinery operators?

The construction industry continues to face a labor shortage and women represent an untapped workforce with significant potential. Getting more women in construction trades isn’t a diversity goal, it’s mandatory for the industry to thrive.

Employers and training institutions recognize this and are responding. Heavy Equipment College has launched initiatives encouraging women to pursue equipment operation. The Caterpillar two-day “Women in Construction” event in 2024 celebrated female talent, as did multiple NAWIC WIC Week events.

Besides events, and social media and marketing that accurately represents women in construction trades, what else can be done to encourage women to join the trades?

Focus on the practical, and the facts of being a woman in the construction trades.

• There is a strong need, the pay is good, and the gender pay gap in the industry minimal compared to other industries
• Success in heavy equipment operation and other trades depends more on aptitude and learning the skills than brute strength. As Rosie’s posters say, “We Can Do It!”
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is being adapted to better fit women, making job sites safer and more inclusive
• Organizations like NAWIC provide the space and community for women to network, advocate for each other, and move from thinking about a job in the industry to thriving as a woman in the construction trades

NAWIC provides support, networking and mentorship, and education in the construction industry for women in construction trades. With more than 6,000 members in over 120 chapters across the U.S. NAWIC’s resources are available to all women in the construction industry. Want to know more? Contact a chapter near you.