There is No Labor Shortage – Just Inequity

Ebba Schmid and Sharon Latson-Flemister co-founded Punch List — a marketing, communications, and promotional agency — to elevate women and people of color in the construction and trades industry.

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) reported 2022 as a record-breaking year for women in the trades: Since 2017, the number of tradeswomen in construction increased by over 100,000 (47.3%), women apprentices saw a 64.9% increase, and women in construction management roles grew by 12.3%.

And yet, women still only account for 4.2% of construction tradespeople.

“Coming from being in the field to being on the other side of workforce development and trying to help people succeed in the trades, these numbers seem on par,” said Ebba Schmid, a former union carpenter and co-founder of Punch List Consulting. “It’s always amazing to hear there’s an increase, but it doesn’t mean the numbers are good.”

Ebba and Sharon Latson-Flemister co-founded Punch List — a marketing, communications, and promotional agency — to elevate women and people of color in the construction and trades industry. They are also the co-owners of Punch List Products, a manufacturing company debuting its first product in 2024.

“Ebba and I want to be that resource for people in the industry,” said Sharon. “Punch List is about connection to the industry for women and people of color. Not just a connection, but to make sure that they succeed as well.”

While IWPR found that most construction trades saw a significant increase in tradeswomen over the past five years, women electricians decreased by 5.7%, possibly due to decreased accessibility to the trade. Ebba and Sharon described how aspiring electricians in the Chicago area face barriers including high school math GPA requirements – as opposed to a GED – and may be asked to complete college level math courses, which costs money and time. The electrical field is also not as felony friendly as other fields, which limits the applicant pool. These factors lead potential laborers to feel discouraged, especially when painting and construction contractors require applicants to jump through fewer hoops while still providing a decent living.

IWPR’s research also addressed the underrepresentation of women, particularly women of color, in the trades: While women make up nearly half of the national workforce, they only account for 18.5% of all infrastructure workers in the U.S. Tradeswomen are less likely to be promoted, retained on core crews, and receive the same technical training as their male counterparts, and women of color are even more likely to face discrimination in the hiring and employment process, and experience sexual harassment and gender and racial bias in the workplace.

Reports like IWPR’s are necessary because they provide accountability for business owners and policymakers when investigating underrepresentation, retention rates, bias, and accessibility issues in infrastructure.

“Everybody wants to talk about this labor shortage. I love to say that the labor shortage is a myth,” said Ebba. “There is no labor shortage – just inequity. There is enough money in infrastructure that we see at a city, state, regional, and national level with the Biden infrastructure bill. There is so much work out there. You either have to get on board with diversifying your workforce, or shut your doors.”

Sharon and Ebba believe that elevating women and people of color into leadership and ownership positions, and progressing the thinking of those in current leadership roles, is key to promoting equity and retaining women and people of color in the trades.

“Our passion is building more leadership, more owners in the industry. We’re doing more advocacy work. We’re really working with these contractors and letting them know that (diversity and inclusion) is not something they do because you feel like you have to do it. You should want to do this,” said Sharon. “Diversity is good for this country, and diversity in the industry should be an absolute must.”

Sharon and Ebba partnered to create Punch List after working together for several years – Ebba in workforce development focused on the tradeswomen community, and Sharon in marketing and communications. Sharon’s passion for infrastructure stems from watching the impact the trades have on people’s finances, skills, and lives.

“I’ve seen women come into programs that say ‘I’m on the borderline of homelessness.’ I have literally seen it change lives – from making little to nothing, to getting into the trades, to buying their first home, to going on a real vacation,” Sharon said. “It’s watching lives change and people gaining skills they’ll have for life.”

“I like to say that we sell humanity – it’s literally people that just want to work,” said Ebba. “They want to make a living, and they’re willing to put their bodies on the line for construction. If somebody is willing to put themselves out there, learn the skill to do it right, and are physically able to do it – let them work.”

For women and people of color interested in pursuing a career in the trades, finding a support system and looking past the data are key to finding success. Organizations that support women breaking down barriers in the trades, like Punch List, can make a difference.

“Women and people of color have had so many obstacles they’ve had to deal with. They know it’s not going to be easy,” said Sharon. “But when you’re watching something in front of you that is wrong, you’ve got to learn to stand and support each other. We’re stronger together than we are apart.”