workforce

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Women in the Trades: Developing a Pipeline of Talent for the Future

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Local trade association, the Frederick County Building Industry Association, launched an initiative in 2021 to tap into a large segment of the potential construction trades workforce: Women. The Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council was established in 2021 to empower women in the building industry by providing opportunities for both professional and personal development. Initiatives like this are helping to develop a pipeline of talent for the future amongst the construction trades industry,

Danielle Adams, Executive Officer with the Frederick County Builders Industry Association, shared recently, “The National Association of Home Builders estimates 11% of women make up the U.S. building industry workforce with less than 5% performing a skilled trade. Additionally, of the highest in demand workforce needs, only 2.5% of auto techs are women (2024 U.S. Department of Commerce) 3.5% are laborers, 3.2% are plumbers, and 2.9% are electricians (2025 National Association of Women in Construction).

Initiatives in Frederick appear to be positively impacting the trajectory of women in the trades. Ms. Adams shared, “In Frederick County, we are seeing an increase, boasting more than 17% in the building industry. FCBIA’s Professional Women in Building Council and the Frederick County Women in Trades are advocating to mentor to women of all ages to pursue a career path in the skilled trades. Their awareness efforts through programing, speaking engagements, tabling events, and more, these organizations are supporting schools and employers to provide access and create a welcoming culture for women in the skilled trades.”

Adams along with members of Frederick County Women in Trades recently participated in the Construction Career Trades event at Harry Grove Stadium to showcase opportunities for future graduates that include on-the-job-training, apprenticeships and more. Learn about the Frederick event sponsored by the Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation here.

Frederick County Women in Trades

Follow the web and social media pages to learn more about future networking and educational events in Frederick focused on the construction trades:

Reach out to learn about other workforce initiatives in Frederick, including apprenticeships, internships and more! 301.600.6360 or businessinfrederick@cityoffrederickmd.gov .

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Construction Trades: Next Gen Career Pathways

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Maryland’s construction industry is grappling with a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople, a challenge that’s driving up project costs and threatening the pace of economic development across the state. With a staggering 3.1 job openings for every job seeker (Capital News Service)—more than double the national average—employers are struggling to find qualified talent for increasingly complex infrastructure demands. This labor gap stems from a confluence of factors: an aging workforce nearing retirement, limited interest from younger generations, and a widening skills mismatch that leaves many workers unequipped for modern construction roles. Organizations such as the Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation (MCCEI) are dedicated to bridging the gap between education and industry, advocating for career pathways within the construction trades industry.

Recently, MCCEI hosted the inaugural Frederick Construction Career Day events at Harry Grove Stadium and over 500 high school students from Frederick and Washington Counties were in attendance to learn about career pathways in the trades. Students were able to participate in hands-on activities using equipment, meet with local, regional and national construction industry companies and interact with the local workforce development team. The City of Frederick was an event sponsor, and members of the city’s DPW crew showcased career paths within its department. Several city construction trades businesses were on hand throughout the day to display opportunities for future careers at their respective companies. Community volunteers with and without construction experience contributed to the event’s success.

According to MCCEI Innovation Program Director, Jazmin Rodriguez, the Construction Career Day helps to:

• Increase awareness and pathway access: These events bring together industry partners, universities, apprenticeship and training programs to provide direct links from high school to in demand careers. MCCEI’s exit poll data shows a 50 % jump in students willing to “seriously consider” a construction career after just one day.

• Address workforce need: The construction industry across the US will need to attract an estimated 439,000 net new workers in 2025 to meet anticipated demand according to an ABC News Release. Based on AGC’s 2024 Workforce Survey Analysis, 94% of firms with craft worker openings report those positions are hard to fill; similarly, 92% of firms with openings for salaried workers report they are hard to find.

• Challenge preconceived notions about the industry: Through 1:1 engagement, these events help challenge outdated stereotypes of construction work, highlighting that the industry offers good wages, has strong advancement opportunities for men and women, and uses advanced technologies.

• Build collaboration: By involving schools, employers, unions, and state partners, MCCEI's events foster partnerships that help align education with industry needs, ensuring students are better prepared for real careers and employers have better access to talent.

Ms. Rodriguez shared, “MCCEI uses Construction Career Day as a proactive strategy–free for students and teachers, aiming to serve hundreds (500 1000) of students at each event–to connect youth to opportunities in the built environment, build the future workforce, and support Maryland’s economy and infrastructure through skilled talent.”

The City Department of Economic Development team was thrilled to support this important workforce development event! Stay tuned for details about the 2026 Career Day will be hosted on October 22, 2026 in Frederick. Follow the city’s event calendar at www.businessinfrederick.com for details on this event and others in the Frederick community.

The City of Frederick Launches Nation’s First Returnship Program

Once again, Frederick is front and center - creating new workforce initiatives that will draw nationwide attention! Created by the Office of Opportunity and Transformation (OOT), the City-wide program helps experienced professionals reenter the workforce. Each placement will be hosted in a different department, giving participants a chance to contribute their skills while exploring local government.

The first placement is in the City’s Department of Economic Development (DED), supporting the City’s work in growing Frederick’s economy and helping local businesses thrive.

Each returnship is six months, part-time, and competitively paid, offering structure and support to step back into a career. Applicants need a minimum six-month gap on their resume, but the program welcomes individuals at all stages of their careers. Participants can refresh skills, build professional relationships, and use the role as a bridge to a permanent position elsewhere.

“We are thrilled to welcome Carol to our economic development team. This role offers an exciting opportunity for her to reconnect with the workforce, build meaningful community connections, and gain first-hand experience with the vibrant and diverse business community here in Frederick,” shared Mary Ford-Naill, Manager of Economic Development.

Carol Park, Project Coordinator, DED

Carol Park

Carol Park fills the first Returnship position as a Project Coordinator with the City’s Department of Economic Development.

Carol brings diverse professional experience, including roles as an office manager for a family-owned online retail business, a business assistant and Latin teacher at a K-12 private school, and a decade of administrative support at a patent law firm. She holds two master’s degrees in Biblical languages and Ancient Near Eastern studies and is a certified Level 1 Kingian Conflict Reconciliation Nonviolence trainer. A longtime volunteer with a passion for learning and creative thinking, Carol is also an avid reader and writer who enjoys fantasy, science fiction, and tabletop gaming.

The need is clear. Maryland saw the steepest drop in workforce participation among mothers of elementary-aged children during the pandemic, more than any other demographic. Source In 2019, about 90 percent were in the labor force. By 2020, that fell to roughly 74 percent, a 16-point drop and the largest decline in the nation. Many of these women, along with others who have taken career breaks, are finding it challenging to reenter the workforce and regain momentum in their careers.

“Frederick is ready to lead by example, proving that career breaks do not have to be career endings,” stated Ericka Rohrbaugh, Manager of the Office of Opportunity and Transformation. “With OOT standing up the program and DED hosting the first participant, the city is building pathways for residents, strengthening City departmental relationships, and creating opportunities that benefit the whole community.”

In 2023, the City of Frederick was one of 16 cities nationwide selected to participate in The Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy - a year-long program led by the National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Labor to help cities create comprehensive plans to help people find good jobs and build successful careers.

The program’s goal was to help cities like Frederick develop plans to improve job opportunities for residents, focusing on high-quality jobs and sustainable employment. The two resident groups we focused on were young people (ages 14-24) and disconnected adults. The returnship position is just one of several initiatives underway at the city to address the workforce needs of the community.

To learn more about workforce initiatives within the City of Frederick, reach out today and we will connect you! Call 301.600.6360 today!