A Joint Interview with Two Women in Non-Traditional Trades
Through their career paths, anecdotes, daily challenges, and reflections on equality, they shared an authentic, candid, and hopeful testimony. A genuine and necessary moment, organized by Les Elles de la construction, which shines a spotlight on those who wish to grow in an essential, demanding, and rapidly evolving industry.
A Journey of Steps… and Personal Growth
Yvette’s journey, like that of many women in the industry, was built step by step. Some steps were demanding, but each contributed to shaping her resilience, confidence, and place in the field.
These experiences allowed her to develop:
- The ability to assert herself and belong,
- The strength to find and claim her place,
- The skills to grow and thrive on construction sites.
Today, she shares practical tools and inspiring guidance for those who wish to follow a similar path. Construction is an essential, meaningful industry, where it is both legitimate and important to take pride in one’s work.
Equipping oneself, seeking solutions, and moving forward together: this is what makes it possible to build sustainable careers… and more human construction sites.
Recommendations for Lasting Change
The discussions highlighted clear ways to improve integration and the work environment on construction sites:
- Better prepare women for real-world conditions through structured and supervised internships.
- Equip managers and leaders to create a genuinely inclusive climate.
- Develop both interpersonal skills and technical expertise.
- Foster a culture of respect, communication, and kindness.
- Understand that integrating women is not a “women’s issue” but a matter of site culture.
Yvette’s 5 Cs: A Method for Better Construction Sites
Yvette proposes a simple, human-centered approach to transforming workplaces:
- Heart: exercise human-centered leadership.
- Clean: zero tolerance for sexist remarks or objects.
- Check-in: take the time to speak sincerely with each worker individually.
- Companion-Coach: share knowledge with pedagogy and respect.
- Courage: take action.
A Wind of Change?
Yes, a wind of change is blowing across construction sites. New generations are arriving with greater sensitivity, increased openness, and a desire to do things differently.
Within Elles de la construction, the approach is long-term, aiming to promote better-structured onboarding and sustainable change. It is with this goal in mind that the ESSI Certification (Healthy, Safe, and Inclusive Environment) was developed, in connection with the F.I.C. program.
This certification is designed for employers who wish to become showcase companies, recognized for their exemplary practices in integration and respect.
Promoting diversity and fostering an open, collaborative, and ethical work environment are powerful levers to:
- Retain teams,
- Improve overall performance,
- Attract new talent to the industry.
School: A Structuring First Contact
Yvette shares her journey with transparency. School provides a safe framework: clear rules, supervision, and guidance. On the jobsite, the reality can sometimes be very different.
In her first DEP cohort, Yvette was the only woman among 17 students. She experienced isolation and a lack of collaboration, and eventually chose to switch schools.
In her second cohort, there were six women. “Everything changed: the leadership, the cohesion, the learning.”
The Jobsite: Integration Still to Be Built
On construction sites, safety policies are often well established. But when it comes to human integration, there is still work to be done.
“They say, ‘Here’s the new employee.’ And then… nothing. No follow-up. No support.”
Yvette points out that integration anxiety also affects men, but it manifests differently. Women often have to face greater resistance.
Stéphanie, who works closely with both workers and managers, highlights a frequently overlooked reality:
“Women are often labeled as an ‘integration problem.’ But I’ve seen men cry in my training sessions—men experiencing toxic situations who aren’t allowed to admit it. According to the myths: a man doesn’t cry, a man doesn’t speak.”
A tense work environment affects everyone. Trying to integrate women without improving the overall climate misses the point of the real solution.
Finding Your Place Without Losing Yourself
“If you don’t join in the jokes, you’re left out. If you speak up, you’re disruptive. If you stay quiet, you disappear.”
Yes, this reality exists. The important thing is not to internalize it. Staying true to yourself, setting boundaries, and finding balance requires courage and consistency.
This is why these testimonies matter. They give a voice to what is experienced, help adjust practices, and contribute to changing construction site culture. The goal is simple: workplaces where everyone can take their place, do their work, and move forward with respect.
This project was made possible thanks to the financial support of
