How Technology Can Close the Gender Gap in Construction: A Conversation with Laura Vanderweyen

Here at Constrafor, we’re fortunate to have team members who bring deep industry experience and a passion for driving change in construction. One of those industry experts is Laura Vanderweyen, an Implementation Specialist at Constrafor and a former heavy-infrastructure engineer. From overseeing complex projects in remote regions to helping contractors streamline their back-office operations with technology, Laura has seen firsthand how innovation—and the people behind it—can make an impact and have a transformative effect on the industry.

As the moderator for our upcoming webinar, Crossing the Chasm: Women, Technology & the Future of AEC, Laura will lead a discussion on the intersection of gender diversity and technology adoption in construction. In this Q&A, we sit down with her to discuss her journey in the industry, her perspective on the evolving role of women in construction, and why technology is a key driver of progress for both individuals and businesses.

You’ve worked in both traditional construction and now in construction tech. What originally drew you to the technology side of the industry, and how has that shift changed your perspective on the challenges women face in construction?

During my time in construction I witnessed many cases of inefficient use of technology, starting with excel. I was assigned a first estimation task where I had to come up with Man Curves (labor count through project) based on schedule exports. This involved a few data manipulations that I figured out how to do. After that, I started having the reputation as being “tech savvy” (everything is relative, this is construction). This opened the door to me working on a custom tool for execs to determine the appropriate margin to add on bids, which involved coding in VBA and working very closely with another woman who later became a mentor. She was very strong in estimation and data! 

Having learned VBA, I then used it to automate some of my excel processes on later projects as well. This is how I grew more and more aware of inefficiencies related to technology use in construction and started thinking of shifting to construction tech to help the industry digitize and automate. While in construction, I met several women who helped me develop my skills and acted as models. I also learned from male mentors but having access to these women was invaluable. It helped me understand how some of the challenges faced by women in construction is a result of not having role models to identify with. Indeed, many women leave the industry before reaching senior roles. Those who remain tend to be very strong. 

Construction, tech, and construction tech all lack women. However, I believe that Construction tech is a great place for women who are driven by improving the construction industry but want more flexibility than what the construction site offers. 

This upcoming webinar is all about closing the gender gap and the tech adoption gap in construction. From your perspective, how can technology be a tool to bridge that divide and create more opportunities for women in the industry?

One of the reasons for the divide originally is that construction is physically tough. Even for superintendents and field engineers, conditions are often demanding. Site work requires long working hours and long commutes. Not only was this not considered an environment for women by patriarchal standards, but it is also difficult to combine with motherhood and family life.

Technology is helping us break down these constraints in many ways. The efficiency gains that can be made by streamlining processes, improving software and equipment will reduce the long work hours, freeing up some time for men and women alike to spend with family. For labor, robots and assisted equipment will reduce the physical toll on workers, allowing more women to enter the workforce. For women engineers, the opportunity to become experts in a given construction technology can help propel their careers and close the wage gap. 

You’ve seen how technology is adopted both in the field and in the back office. Do you think there’s a gap in how men and women engage with construction tech in these different environments?

Yes there most definitely is a gap. First of all, Construction, Engineering and Tech are all male dominated fields. Men typically engage with technical tools and technical fields earlier in their lives and more frequently than women. Young boys play lego (structural engineering 101) and video games while young girls are given barbie. In university, engineering programs typically have more men, and only a portion of the women who graduate with an engineering degree actually join the workforce in that industry. 

However, the back office is not run by engineers (with the exception of estimation). The back office, having more of an administrative function, will typically have more women. There will be lots of women in AP, contract admin, insurance, project controls and procurement. For example, as Constrafor’s SaaS product is focused on the back office, most of the clients I work with are women. These women also have an opportunity to improve their careers by being champions  of technologies that will benefit their companies’ processes. 

Looking ahead, what changes do you hope to see in the construction industry over the next decade when it comes to gender diversity and technology adoption?

Over the next decade, I hope to see the construction industry embrace gender diversity and technology adoption as essential solutions to its ongoing labor shortage and the growing demand for infrastructure. Women have the potential to play a transformative role in this field—not only by bringing fresh perspectives and skills but also by helping to drive innovation through technology. I want to see a future where women in construction can fully express their potential, improve their economic standing, and achieve their career aspirations without barriers. 

Additionally, this industry has the potential to offer career and growth opportunities for those from underprivileged backgrounds who may not have had the chance to attend university. With innovation in robotics, tooling and equipment, we can have more women enter the trades. From there we can develop pathways from the trades into management positions, ensuring career growth opportunities.

Ultimately, by integrating more women and embracing technology, the industry can modernize, diversify, and thrive in the years ahead.

Technology and diversity are two of the biggest catalysts for progress in construction, and bridging these gaps will be key to building a stronger, more innovative industry. If you’re interested in hearing more from Laura and our expert panelists about leveraging technology to create more opportunities for women, don’t miss our upcoming webinar, Crossing the Chasm: Women, Technology & the Future of AEC on March 5 at 1:00 PM ET.