Empowering Women in Opportunity Jobs: an Evaluation of Female-Focused Reskilling in Male-Dominated Industries

We evaluate the effectiveness of firm-sponsored training programs aimed at improving the performance and wellbeing of women employed in the construction industry. While technological advancements are increasingly reducing the importance of physical strength requirements, leading to the emergence of high-potential job opportunities suitable for women, female participation in this industry remains low. Partnering with one of the largest construction firms in Colombia, we will assess whether and how female-focused training programs enable women to thrive in the sector. In particular, we ask whether exposure to female peers during training and the provision of soft skills training in addition to standard technical training modules improve the retention, performance, and overall job satisfaction of female workers. To achieve this goal, we propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that varies: a) the density of female participants in training cohorts, and b) the content of the training modules—specifically, whether the training includes only technical modules or also soft-skills modules on leadership, communication, and inter-gender collaboration. The project will generate valuable insights for the design of effective workforce development programs, with practical implications for a variety of industries facing labor shortages, technology-induced changes in occupational opportunities, and low female participation.