Senate Concurrent Resolution
No. 19
CHAPTER 24
Relative to Women in Construction Week.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
March 27, 2019.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 19, Galgiani.
Women in Construction Week.
This measure would proclaim the week of March 3, 2019, to March 9, 2019, inclusive, as Women in Construction Week.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, In 1987, Congress declared March as national Women’s 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 state’s 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, Women currently occupy only 10% of all apprenticeships and less than 3% of construction trade jobs nationally. As a state, we should support policy efforts to achieve at least 20% by 2020; 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 California’s 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 California’s growing economy; 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, 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 women’s 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, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims March 3, 2019, to March 9, 2019, 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.