Build Girls Up - Youth Program

K-12 STEAM education

Long Beach South Bay Gateway Cities

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

DemoChicks seeks to address the underrepresentation of women of color in the fields of Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE).
Nationally, women constitute a much smaller percentage of the ACE workforce compared to men. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) 2021 data, only 9% of female workers held a ACE occupation, compared to 34% of male workers. Women of color face additional barriers and are even less represented within these fields at 2% nationally (according to BLS 2021).
DemoChicks aims to counteract these trends by providing young women increased exposure to the field, providing personalized mentorship, encouraging the pursuit of nontraditional career paths, and providing resources like scholarships to do so. By focusing on these actions, DemoChicks works to create a more diverse and equitable future in ACE, ensuring that young women of color have the opportunity to explore and succeed in these high-demand careers.

Over the duration of the program, the DemoChicks "Build Girls Up" Program will strategically address the underrepresentation of women of color in architecture, engineering, and construction (ACE) through several interconnected approaches:
Early Exposure and Demystification: By serving young women of color through targeted outreach and engaging them in hands-on workshops focused on the fundamentals of construction and engineering (like blueprint reading and basic building), the program aims to demystify these fields. This early positive exposure breaks down preconceived notions about who can work in these industries.
Visible Role Models and Mentorship: A core component of the program is connecting participants with women of color who are currently working and thriving in the field. These mentors will provide relatable examples of success, share their career journeys, and offer guidance, directly addressing the lack of role models/ visibility, which is a significant barrier.
Building Confidence and Skills: The workshops are designed to build foundational skills and to increase the participants' confidence in their ability to learn and engage with technical subjects. This can help overcome internal doubts and external biases that might discourage young women of color from pursuing these fields.
By implementing these strategies, the Build Girls Up Program aims to create a pipeline of young women of color who are aware of, interested in, and prepared to pursue ACE careers.

The Build Girls Up program success will positively impact Los Angeles County in the following ways:
Creating A More Inclusive Workforce: The most direct impact would be an increase in the representation of women of color in ACE. This would lead to more diverse construction teams with a wider range of perspectives and problem-solving skills.
Creating A Stronger/ Resilient Economy: By tapping into a previously underutilized talent pool, the program would contribute to filling the skilled labor gaps in the ACE sectors, which are vital for the region's infrastructure and development.
Increased Economic Empowerment for Women of Color: Successful participants would gain access to higher-paying jobs with clear career pathways, leading to greater economic security and mobility for themselves and their families.
In essence, a successful Build Girls Up program would help Los Angeles County move towards a future where its ACE workforce more accurately reflects the diversity of its population.