{"id":1410,"date":"2025-01-21T11:09:56","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T16:09:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/?post_type=cu_story&p=1410"},"modified":"2025-01-22T08:44:14","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T13:44:14","slug":"breaking-down-barriers-building-diversity-in-construction-through-sponsorship-and-philanthropy","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/story\/breaking-down-barriers-building-diversity-in-construction-through-sponsorship-and-philanthropy\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking Down Barriers: Building Diversity in Construction Through Sponsorship and Philanthropy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n
\n\n
<\/div>\n \n
\n
\n\n

\n Breaking Down Barriers: Building Diversity in Construction Through Sponsorship and Philanthropy\n <\/h1>\n \n <\/header>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Much like their counterparts in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), women in construction face many challenges, from gender stereotypes to a lack of visible female role models and feelings of not belonging. Despite these challenges, women in the field contribute invaluable skills and perspectives that enhance the industry\u2019s impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the barriers that obstruct women\u2019s entry and advancement in construction, PCL Construction is taking action to make a difference. Through a partnership with Carleton University, the company is investing in a future talent pool and workforce within the industry that is representative and inclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \n
\n \n
\n \n\n
\"Photo<\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n \n\n


\u201cWe recognize that construction is not always considered a viable career choice for women. Our hope is to break down barriers and instill confidence in women students to pursue STEM, and view the construction industry as a welcoming place to work,\u201d said Paul Knowles, Vice-President and Ottawa District Manager, PCL Construction.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

As a steadfast co-op employer, PCL partnered with Carleton to accomplish this goal. Committed to building an equitable, diverse and inclusive campus that enriches student experiences and fosters success, Carleton welcomes collaborations with corporate partners to advance shared values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having understood PCL\u2019s need to dismantle barriers impeding women\u2019s progress in construction while offering opportunities to engage with in-demand talent, Carleton crafted the Building Futures Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enacting Meaningful Change Through Industry-academia Collaboration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Through the Building Futures Program, PCL invested in Virtual Ventures<\/a>, a non-profit that offers nationally recognized STEM programming for youth; the Women in Engineering & IT (WiE&IT) Program<\/a>, an initiative that supports women students to increase their recruitment and retention in STEM; and established an endowed scholarship for women entering the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carleton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through these investments, PCL is laying the groundwork for lasting impact. First, Virtual Ventures sparks girls\u2019 curiosity in STEM, to help prepare them to break down any barriers caused by gender bias. Second, the entrance scholarship encourages recruitment and retention, and provides support for girls who later choose to pursue post-secondary STEM education. Third, PCL continues to encourage Carleton\u2019s women students to consider careers in STEM through the WiE&IT Program.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n

\u201cThe Building Futures Program allows us to support and engage women students of all ages, and one day welcome them to PCL, where they can become part of the organization and influence the future growth of our company,\u201d said Knowles<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For Rhea Wilson, second-year Building Engineering Ph.D. student and dedicated advocate for women in engineering, this support is invaluable.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n

\u201cPCL Construction\u2019s support for initiatives like the Women in Engineering & IT Program fosters an environment of inclusivity, paving the way for a future where individuals like myself feel represented, welcomed and confident in the workforce,\u201d expressed Wilson.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \n
\n \n
\n \n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n \n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a Graduate Assistant in the\u00a0Women in Engineering & IT Study Lounge<\/a>, I get to see the positive impact supporters of the program have on women students. Their support allows program participants to connect with peers, network with future employers, learn from mentors and gain a safe space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Enhancing Employee Engagement Through Collaboration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While philanthropic and sponsorship investments through Carleton contribute to transformative change \u2013 having a positive impact on students and the wider community \u2013 they also are mutually beneficial to fostering a sense of pride, meaning and purpose for employees in their workplace. Employees value knowing that their employer is committed to creating meaningful change.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n

\u201cA career in construction is meaningful and fulfilling, especially when you work for a company that promotes continuous growth and invests in your future success,\u201d said Ashley Regan, Field Coordinator at PCL Construction.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n \n
\n \n
\n \n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n \n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCollaborations like this are vital to drive progressive change and ensure that future generations of women in STEM continue to explore career pathways in the construction industry. I am proud to work for a company focused on eliminating barriers for young women passionate about STEM, providing them with the space to build a meaningful career.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

As voices from industry and academia emphasize the importance of breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity, it becomes evident that collaborative efforts are pivotal in advancing a more equitable future in STEM-related fields. This sentiment is echoed by Cynthia Cruickshank, Professor and Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Carleton\u2019s Faculty of Engineering and Design.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n

\u201cIndustry-academia collaborations unite our shared values and bring us closer to bridging the gender gap, and are integral in creating a future characterized by equity, diversity and inclusion,\u201d said Cruickshank.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n

\u201cThanks to the support of dedicated partners, investments in women students through Carleton\u2019s leading initiatives positions them to pursue STEM careers confidently, knowing they will be embraced as future leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you\u2019re seeking a customized approach to advance corporate social responsibility goals while making a meaningful impact on Carleton students and your future workforce through sponsorship and philanthropy, get in touch with Robin McLaughlin, Senior Corporate Relations Officer, at Robin.McLaughlin@Carleton.ca<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Much like their counterparts in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), women in construction face many challenges, from gender stereotypes to a lack of visible female role models and feelings of not belonging. Despite these challenges, women in the field contribute invaluable skills and perspectives that enhance the industry\u2019s impact. Recognizing the barriers that obstruct women\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":259,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_story_type":[35,37],"cu_story_tag":[],"class_list":["post-1410","cu_story","type-cu_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","cu_story_type-corporate","cu_story_type-home"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/1410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/cu_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/129"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/1410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1413,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/1410\/revisions\/1413"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/259"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_story_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_type?post=1410"},{"taxonomy":"cu_story_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/advancement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_tag?post=1410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}