Wisconsin-based companies Miron and Boldt have joined a growing list of construction industry leaders, including Bechtel and Turner, in supporting the Million Women in Construction Community Pledge. On Friday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo traveled to Milwaukee to join Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership WRTP | BIG STEP for a roundtable on women in construction and trades. During the event, she called on Wisconsin companies, unions, and training organizations to sign the pledge aimed at increasing women's participation in the construction workforce.
Following her event, which included The Boldt Company and Miron Construction—two of the largest contractors in the state—Secretary Raimondo announced that both companies would sign on to the Department of Commerce’s Million Women in Construction Community Pledge. These companies join other leading firms such as Bechtel, Turner Construction, Baker Construction, Gilbane Building Company, McKissack & McKissack, Mortenson, Power Design, Shawmut Design and Construction, and Suffolk.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is creating a construction boom all over the country,” said Secretary Raimondo. “But to fill these jobs and get projects underway, we need to ensure we are tapping into the full potential of our workforce and that means we have to get more women in the door.”
“I am thrilled to be expanding our Million Women in Construction Community Pledge with Boldt and Miron’s commitment,” she added.
By signing onto this pledge, industry leaders demonstrate their commitment to increasing women's access to training, jobs, and leadership opportunities. Signers will focus on equitable hiring practices and workforce development efforts that create broader pipelines for women. This call to action encourages best practices such as building community partnerships to reach women and girls; investing in supportive services like childcare; and fostering safe workplaces.
In October 2022, Secretary Raimondo announced the Million Women in Construction initiative with an aim to double the number of women in construction over the next decade. Last month saw further announcements from the Commerce Department regarding new voluntary pledges from leading construction companies. Additionally announced was a CHIPS Women in Construction Framework designed to expand participation among women within semiconductor manufacturing sectors.
“We at The Boldt Group recognize the importance of women at every level of our organization,” said Dave Kievet, President and CEO of The Boldt Group. “Boldt will continue to build on women's access to training [and] jobs...in alignment with the pledge.”
“Miron Construction understands that diversity drives innovation,” said Dave Walsh, Executive Vice President for Human Resources at Miron Construction. “Miron is committed...to see[ing] [the] Million Women in Construction pledge help fill [the] skilled trades gap...”
The Million Women in Construction initiative calls upon contractors, trade unions, and training institutions nationwide to take bold steps toward ensuring a diverse workforce capable of rebuilding U.S. infrastructure.
