PGTI is a “multi-stakeholder collaboration.” In addition to the usual suspects working for equality and social justice (labor, community, and tradeswomen themselves), developers, general contractors and trade contractors join us every other month in the PGTI open meetings to explore strategies for crushing the barriers to women’s entry into the construction trades. A PGTI-moderated workshop at the 2nd Biennial New England Women’s Policy Conference , at UMass Boston on January 18, examined recent strategies for opening up good jobs in the construction trades for women, described the successes that have led to significant increases in women’s participation in the construction workforce and looked critically at the role of business in social change and the extent of the business sector’s commitment to radical alterations in business practices.

The workshop, “Getting Business on Board for Good Jobs for Women,” included panelists John Barros, Chief of Economic Development for the City of Boston; Marcy Reed, CEO of National Grid; Brian Doherty, General Agent of the Metro Boston Building Trades Council; Labor Management Consultant Gail Kinney;  and Sue Mailman, President of Coghlin Electrical Contractors. PGTI Co-convener Susan Moir moderated. 

The workshop can be viewed here.