Sharon Springs’ Rosa Brown may one day represent the face of change in the construction industry.
Right now, though, the SSCS high school junior is learning the fine art of construction and masonry at Capital Region BOCES. Brown is among 87 students from the area enrolled in the Building Trades program at the Career & Technical Education Center this school year and among several women students in the program.
“It’s not an issue at all,” Brown said. “The guys here treat us like anyone else.”
Currently, just 10.9% of the construction industry’s workforce identify as women and an even smaller percentage of women – just 1% – are on the front lines of a job site, according to a 2022 article published by BizRent.com.
But these facts haven’t deterred Capital Region BOCES students, like Brown, interested in building careers in those industries.
October is national Careers in Construction Month and throughout the month Capital Region BOCES – in conjunction with its business and higher education partners – is highlighting the multitude of careers and opportunities that exist in the industry and the students and graduates who are part of the industry.
Brown said she appreciates the opportunity to learn “skills that will benefit her when she gets into the workforce.”
“I am not bored when I come here,” she said of her BOCES experience. “There is always something to do and to learn.
