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Following success in Southern California, Women in Construction Operations (WiOPS) has announced an expansion into in the north. The Northern California chapter will launch at an informational outreach event at San Francisco’s Dome Construction on January 17, 2018, nearly five years after Southern California’s inaugural meeting. WiOPS, a professional organization with nearly 600 members, provides a forum to mentor and further the advancement of women in the building industry.
“We have achieved more than we ever imagined when beginning WiOPS,” says Holly Cindell, WiOPS Southern California Chapter founding board member. “Five years ago, our board planned to have three events a year, and were unsure if anyone would attend. Our sights broadened when more than 150 people joined after our first meeting. Since that time, membership has quadrupled, and our SoCal meetings are booked through 2018 with A/E/C [architecture, engineering, and construction] industry companies vying to host our events.”
“WiOPS decided to expand into Northern California based on interest and an expressed need for an organization with our mission from companies who have participated in WiOPS in Southern California,” continues Cindell. “Next year, we plan to investigate further opportunities for expansion into other regions throughout California and the U.S.”
Open to both women and men who hold professional positions in the construction, architecture, and engineering industries, the new chapter will hold meetings on the last Wednesday of every month various locations throughout the Bay Area. Meetings are free to attendees and will focus on learning, mentoring, and networking through educational speakers, technical activities, and social gatherings.
According to the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), women made up 9.1 percent of the construction industry workforce in the United States last year, with just 31 percent in professional and managerial positions.
“Although we have seen some growth in the number of women in the industry, the percentage is still too low when you consider the population in California is 49.8 percent male and 50.2 percent female,” said Jennifer Lauritzen, WiOPS Northern California board member. “In an ideal state, the percentage of women in the industry would more closely align with the population. WiOPS is bringing professional women in the industry together with the purpose of providing a place for them to learn more about technology and development in the industry, as well as a place to discuss the specific issues women face in their careers and obtain feedback and guidance from others who have been through it.”
To register for the Northern California Chapter launch event, click here.
