The market for women in the construction industry is open and receptive in San Diego, says Vera Howell, president of the San Diego chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction. That trend, she says, has been accelerating over the past several years.

Women who are successful in seeking such careers are “ambitious, they want to succeed and they are willing to pay their dues,” Howell says. The result is jobs with responsibility often requiring technical knowledge that translates to top dollar pay.

“The main problem is getting the word out that jobs and training for women are available,” she says. “Women are capable of meeting the requirements if they are willing to educate themselves.”