In 2021, Nicole Hill won a Women of Color Technology Rising Star Award for her work as a project engineer at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
She was recently featured in an online article by the U.S. Army. Hill is responsible for overseeing construction contracts valued at over $320 million.
Her projects include housing tower complexes for over 400 military families, a barracks complex for over 600 unaccompanied soldiers, a pet care center, roads, and infrastructure improvements.
A chief for the USACE Far East District described Hill as a self-motivated problem solver who takes great pride in her work.
Hill, who is a mechanical engineer, previously worked in the private sector before joining USACE.
She is now studying for her Professional Engineering exam and plans to pursue a master's degree.
Hill is also a military spouse and recently moved to U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys with her spouse and two children.
The construction industry in the United States employs about 939,000 women, making up 9.1% of the workforce.
In an effort to increase female representation, the U.S. Department of Commerce has introduced the Million Women in Construction Community Pledge, aiming to encourage construction companies to hire more women.
Currently, women make up less than 11% of jobs in construction and only 4% in skilled trades, according to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
She emphasized the need for a collective effort from various stakeholders to facilitate the employment of a million women in construction and skilled trades.
Notably, major construction firms have already supported this initiative.
It is worth mentioning that while the construction industry employs many women, only around 2% work in production, transportation, or materials movement.
Additionally, about 40% of women in the construction industry work in management or office positions, and nearly half of them are mothers to children under 18.
Women make great welders, plumbers, pipefitters, and more.
— Secretary Gina Raimondo (@SecRaimondo) February 11, 2023
With the Million Women in Construction initiative, we’re going to double the number of women in the construction industry and put them to work. pic.twitter.com/tDWsgN7zDf
