How to build up a lagging construction industry? Get young women in on the jobs

Listen Now
4min 39sec
A girl tries her hand with power tools
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Zoe Horne, a senior at Eagle Crest High School, tries her hand with power tools at the Cummins booth during the Transportation and Construction Girl fair at Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Sept. 25, 2025. Presented by the HOYA Foundation, the event aims to connect girls considering the trades and engi

Thousands of girls (and teachers and parents) attended the Transportation and Construction Girl fair
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Thousands of girls (and teachers and parents) attended the Transportation and Construction Girl fair at Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Sept. 25, 2025. Presented by the HOYA Foundation, the event aims to connect girls considering the trades and engineering with architects, engineers, project managers, carpenters, electricians and more.

Girls walk past a pink Women Working sign
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
The Transportation and Construction Girl fair at Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Sept. 25, 2025. Presented by the HOYA Foundation, the event aims to connect girls considering the trades and engineering with architects, engineers, project managers, carpenters, electricians and more.
Girls line up to use a tire hoist
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Wagner worker Chelsea Sewell of Windsor helps young girls operate a crane and move tires during the Transportation and Construction Girl fair at Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Sept. 25, 2025. Presented by the HOYA Foundation, the event aims to connect girls considering the trades and engineering with architects, engineers, project managers, carpenters, electricians and more.

A young girl triues her hand at maneuvering a mini excavator
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Christian Martinez of Fiore and Sons Construction helps girls maneuver a mini excavator during the Transportation and Construction Girl fair at Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Sept. 25, 2025. Presented by the HOYA Foundation, the event aims to connect girls considering the trades and engineering with architects, engineers, project managers, carpenters, electricians and more.
A man in blue jeans and a pink tutu
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Girls line up to try maneuvering a mini excavator refitted as a golf club at the 4 Rivers John Deer booth as Tristan St. Onge, the pink tutu, keeps a watchful eye on the ball, during the Transportation and Construction Girl fair at Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Sept. 25, 2025. Presented by the HOYA Foundation, the event aims to connect girls considering the trades and engineering with architects, engineers, project managers, carpenters, electricians and more.