On July 29, the Long Island Contractors’ Association initiative FOREWomen Long Island, brought together industry leaders for “Building the Workforce for Tomorrow,” a timely conversation about attracting, preparing and retaining the next generation of construction professionals.
Moderated by Rosalie Drago of Haugland Group, the panel featured Leah Rambo, president of Nontraditional Employment for Women; Buket Agdere of Lozier Engineering; Rebecca Clark, senior vice president of operations at Skanska; and Marie Milord of National Grid.
Drawing from their own career journeys, the panelists explored the many pathways into construction and infrastructure, the skills employers need and the cultural and practical barriers that can prevent women from entering or advancing in the industry. The discussion emphasized the importance of mentorship, curiosity, persistence and creating workplaces where people feel supported, valued and empowered to lead.
The conversation reinforced a central principle behind FOREWomen LI: solving the construction industry’s workforce challenges requires reaching people who may never have considered a career in the field and giving them the information, connections and opportunities they need to succeed.
Through programs like this, LICA and FOREWomen LI are helping strengthen the workforce pipeline while creating greater visibility and opportunity for women throughout the construction and infrastructure industries.
