(DEWALT: Towson, MD) -- A new generation of young women in skilled trades is playing a key role in advancing the nation’s infrastructure, according to a new Chicago-based survey from DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and leader in total job site solutions.
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With the U.S. projected to invest up to $2.8 trillion in data center infrastructure by 2030, almost half (45%) of participants say they will be involved in data center projects to support the AI boom. In parallel, most women in the skilled trades (87%) feel they are playing a critical role in building the future of the country and aspire to work on larger, more complex projects (47%).
DEWALT commissioned the survey to better understand the experiences of women in construction and to enable the industry to attract and retain women.
What most excites survey women about the future of the trades
When considering the future of the trades, survey participants said they were most excited about their skills being in high demand (52%); advances in technology, including AI (51%); and new infrastructure projects (49%).
Survey participants are very open to new technology, including advanced power tools and equipment (53%), AI-powered design or estimating tools (50%), and digital project management tools (44%).
Industry and career sentiment
Tradeswomen participating in the survey shared an overwhelmingly positive picture of their feelings, outlook, and perceptions of their industry.
Survey participants said they feel like they belong, are part of the team (89%), and feel supported by their co-workers (88%).
Survey participants feel pride in their work (87%), find their work is exciting (84%), and are confident in their skills (91%).
83% are optimistic about the future of the skilled trades for women, and 82% describe their career opportunities in Chicago as good or excellent.
“Women in construction are eager to play a part in building the future and want to feel supported in doing so,” says Maria Ford, president of U.S. commercial and industrial at DEWALT. “The survey found that tradeswomen in Chicago feel they have this support, which is extremely encouraging. More research is needed to determine whether the outlook of Chicago tradeswomen reflects a national shift in the experiences of women in the trades. Nonetheless, the findings are exciting, and I’m hopeful that this is a trend we will continue to see in the industry.”
Why women are staying in the trades
The top reasons that survey participants have stayed in the skilled trades are job stability (38%), good pay (30%), flexible work schedules or work-life balance (30%), opportunities to learn new skills (26%), and working with technology (25%).
Survey participants selected many of the same categories when asked what would make them leave and what the industry needs to do to support women, emphasizing how pivotal these points are.
Top resources that are important to tradeswomen are skills training and education (51%); mentorship, specifically from women (40%); and mentorship from both men and women (37%).
Through its Grow the Trades initiative, DEWALT has committed $60 million to providing greater accessibility, education, and resources for tradespeople in an effort to help close the skilled labor gap. DEWALT is dedicated to empowering the construction workforce and building a stronger tomorrow—one job site at a time. To learn more, visit dewalt.com/growthetrades.
Methodology
The survey included 210 respondents and yielded a 95% confidence rate + 6.76%. Responses were collected online between Aug. 20 and Sept. 5, 2025. Quotas ensured respondents were tradeswomen (ages 18+) in the Greater Chicago area specializing in HVAC (60%), plumbing (50%), electrical (22%), carpentry (13%), concrete (11%) and/or welding (10%), including both English-speaking (81%) and Spanish-speaking (19%) respondents.
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