‘She Builds Wisconsin’ Camp Encourages Young Girls to Explore Construction Careers

In a bid to address the gender disparity in the building trades, the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Wisconsin has launched its inaugural ‘She Builds Wisconsin’ Summer Camp, a three-day, hands-on program designed to introduce middle school girls to potential careers in construction, architecture, and engineering.

Hosted at the H.J. Martin & Son Training Center in Green Bay, the camp offers an immersive learning experience, complete with interactive workshops, tool demonstrations, and jobsite field trips. Nearly 30 girls from Brown County and surrounding communities are participating in the camp, which runs Monday through Wednesday.

“This is about opening their eyes to possibilities they may not have considered,” said an AGC spokesperson. “We want them to understand that construction is not just for men—it’s for anyone with the talent and interest.”

The camp is part of AGC of Wisconsin’s broader initiative to close the gender gap in the skilled trades. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women currently make up just 11% of the construction workforce nationwide, a figure the AGC hopes to raise through early engagement and education.

AGC of Wisconsin, one of 64 chapters under the national AGC of America, represents over 650 member firms throughout the state and offers resources ranging from workforce development to legal advocacy. ‘She Builds Wisconsin’ reflects a growing push from the organization to not only promote diversity in the trades but to create clear pathways for young women to enter the field.

“Empowering young girls to see themselves as engineers, builders, and designers is key to the future of our industry,” the AGC spokesperson added. “Initiatives like this camp aren’t just feel-good efforts—they’re crucial to ensuring we have the talent we need in the years ahead.”

The curriculum covers various facets of the construction industry, from reading blueprints to understanding structural design. Field trips to active construction sites and engineering firms are meant to reinforce classroom learning with real-world exposure.

Participants also meet with female industry professionals who serve as mentors and role models, highlighting success stories and offering career advice.

Parents and educators have welcomed the initiative, praising it for creating new opportunities and breaking down outdated gender stereotypes.

“We’re incredibly grateful to see programs like this locally,” said one parent. “It’s amazing to see my daughter come home excited about using tools and talking about architecture.”

Beyond the immediate impact on the participants, the AGC believes the camp will have long-term benefits for Wisconsin’s construction workforce, which continues to grapple with labor shortages and the need for more skilled professionals.

AGC officials say they plan to expand the camp to other regions of the state in the coming years, with the ultimate goal of making it a permanent and statewide annual program.

“Inspiring young talent is how we build the future,” the spokesperson said. “And that future is brighter when it includes everyone.”

Originally reported by Indiana Schilz in We Are Greenbay.