How the new Girl Scout patch is inspiring girls’ early interest in construction

Women are the most underrepresented community in construction. They make up 3% of the workforce. In an effort to empower girls to explore careers in construction, the Girl Scouts and the National Association of Homebuilders are teaming up to create a new patch. The House That She Built patch & charm program is designed to help girls build self-esteem and develop skills through curiosity and hands-on activities.

What inspired the program?

100+ women from across the U.S. joined together to build a one-of-a-kind home in Utah. Many of these women were former Girl Scouts. This inspired children’s book author Mollie Elkman to write the book, The House That She Built. The book educates young readers about the people and skills that go into building a home. These same women who inspired the book inspired the patch program.

The intent of the program

The patch program hopes to generate an early interest in the career opportunities that abound in the construction industry. By meeting real professional women in building, girls will be exposed to many new skills, interests and career paths.  The program encourages girls to take an interest in Science, technology, Engineering, art and Math (STEAM).

How the program works

Girl Scouts across the country can participate in the new patch program. To earn the patch, Girl Scouts will meet the author Mollie Elkman along with the general contractor and other women involved in the home and story. They will also participate in hands-on activities. The tradeswomen involved in the program include: architects, tilers, engineers, interior designers just to list a few.

Do you want to participate?

“I’m excited to show them the book and introduce them to some amazing women in the construction industry,” said Mollie Elkman in a press release. If you are a girl scout and you are interested in participating in The House That She Built program, please click here. Proceeds from the book support skilled workforce development and diversity and inclusion in the construction industry.

AboutStephanie Kaufman

Career change is a major life decision affecting your professional fulfillment, your family´s livelihood and your employer’s success in the marketplace. Stephanie has had deep understanding of that premise in her decade-long activity as executive search expert supporting construction industry leaders. Her experience pointed to the essential aspects of a perfect professional match such as competence, personality and cultural compatibility. She has developed a portfolio of returning high profile clients and a sensitive and efficient hands-on approach to both sides of the recruitment process. She vouches for investing time in getting to know the clients and candidates on a personal level and diligently guiding them through step by step. All this comes together in a proven strategy that molds to your career and staffing needs, bringing exactly what you need and when you need it.