On March 21, 2023, TDIndustries proudly partnered with the Construction Career Collaborative (C3), the Houston Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), and Katy Independent School District (ISD), in Katy, Texas, for #SHEbuildsHouston, a construction exploration event designed to inspire young women to pursue careers in the construction industry.
This year, 1,500 girls in eighth grade from schools throughout Katy ISD, met at the Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center outside Houston, Texas, to learn about construction and the skilled trades. Donning hot pink personal protective equipment, these young women learned to use construction tools, practiced safety techniques, participated in interactive and engaging construction-related activities and had in-depth discussions with accomplished women in the construction industry about their careers.
The event organizer, C3, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit alliance of owners, contractors, specialty contractors, design professionals and industry associations collaborating to strengthen the safe, skilled, and sustainable craft workforce. “Our industry competes against all industries to attract the best and brightest to our field,” said Angela Robbins Taylor, executive director of C3. “We want young women to know that construction is a viable option with career paths that begin right out of high school, trade school, junior colleges and universities.”
TDIndustries hosted a booth where young women were encouraged to use power tools to build an installation featuring the TD logo. Around 15 TD employee-owners volunteered at the event. Participants were also encouraged to learn more about internship, apprenticeship and career opportunities with TDIndustries. “It is important to bring women in and help them understand that there is opportunity in construction and in the trades. Introductions like this, at an early age, are a critical because they make for a stronger industry," said Nikki Morgan, executive vice president of construction for TDIndustries’ Houston and San Antonio offices.