Women continue to be underrepresented in many high-pay, high-growth industries that shape the modern economy. These sectors include construction, manufacturing, transportation, energy, automotive, motorsport, and core STEM fields. Across most of these industries, women make up between 7 and 30 percent of the workforce (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025a).
Although progress has been made over the past decade, the pace of change remains slow. Systemic barriers such as unequal access to training, workplace culture challenges, childcare needs, limited role models, and fragmented support systems continue to hold young women back from entering and advancing in these fields (American Association of University Women, 2025).
The Global Girls Development Foundation (GGDF) is committed to creating clear, realistic, and supportive pathways that help girls and young women build strong careers in male-dominated industries. This report offers an overview of the current landscape using the most recent data available as of late 2025. It also highlights the opportunities, challenges, and actions needed to increase representation in these fields.
The goal of this report is to help GGDF understand the current landscape and design programs that open real pathways for girls and young women.
Overview of Women’s Participation in Male-Dominated Fields
Official labor data from 2024 to 2025 indicate that women continue to hold a small share of the workforce in many high-paying sectors. These industries also exhibit slow progress in gender representation, despite an increase in job openings.
General Workforce Participation
Women make up 49.9 percent of the total U.S. workforce. However, in several key industries, the percentages are much lower. In August 2025, women represented only 14 percent of the mining and logging workforce, 14.4 percent of the construction workforce, 26.1 percent of the transportation and warehousing workforce, and 28.6 percent of the manufacturing workforce (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025a).
In motor vehicle manufacturing, women represent roughly 27.6 percent of the workforce (Synchrony, 2024). In the broader automotive industry, including manufacturing and service roles, women make up 24 to 25 percent of workers (HR Dive, 2020). Women hold approximately 12 percent of positions in auto repair and service, which remains one of the most male-dominated technical sectors (Synchrony, 2024).
Participation in motorsport remains limited. Across global racing categories, women represent roughly 7 to 13 percent of drivers, engineers, and technical support roles (More Than Equal, 2023; BlackBook Motorsport, 2023).
Representation in the STEM workforce also remains uneven. Women hold approximately 26 percent of core STEM jobs such as engineering, computer science, mathematics, and physical sciences (Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, 2025). In broader STEM fields that include life sciences and health sciences, women represent roughly 35 percent (National Science Foundation, 2024).
Quick Reference Table: Share of Women by Sector
Female Representation by Sector
| Industry / Sector | Women’s Share |
|---|---|
| Mining & Logging | 14.0% |
| Construction | 14.4% |
| Construction (CPS Annual Average) | 11.2% |
| Utilities | 25.8% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 26.1% |
| Manufacturing | 28.6% |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 27.6% |
| Automotive Industry (Overall) | 24–25% |
| Auto Repair / Service | ~12% |
| Motorsport (Global Participation) | 7–13% |
| Core STEM Jobs (U.S.) | 26% |
| Broad STEM Fields | 35% |
Barriers to Entry and Advancement
Women in these fields face longstanding structural and cultural challenges that limit participation and retention. Key barriers include:
Limited Access to Training
Many women do not have early exposure to technical subjects such as engineering, mechanics, and trades. This limits the pipeline entering vocational programs, apprenticeships, and college pathways (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2020).
Workplace Culture
Workplaces in male-dominated industries often have traditional cultures that may not feel inclusive. Women report experiences of bias, harassment, isolation, and pressure to prove themselves at higher standards than male colleagues (McKinsey & Company, 2024).
Lack of Childcare and Flexible Scheduling
Jobs in trades, transportation, and manufacturing often involve irregular shifts and limited family-support policies. Access to affordable childcare is a major barrier for women entering or staying in these fields (Deloitte & The Manufacturing Institute, 2024).
Limited Role Models
In sectors like motorsport and engineering, few visible women exist in leadership or technical roles. This reduces encouragement for younger women who might consider entering these fields (Society of Women Engineers, 2024).
Fragmented Support Systems
Programs for women in male-dominated industries are often isolated, short-term, or difficult to access. Many women need long-term mentorship, coaching, and community support to persist through training and early career stages (National Skills Coalition, 2024).
Why Representation Matters
Economic Security
Many male-dominated fields offer strong wages, stable work, apprenticeship pathways, and long-term career growth. Greater representation can help reduce gender pay gaps and improve financial stability for women (AAUW, 2025).
Workforce Need
Several industries face significant workforce shortages. Manufacturing alone requires nearly one million replacement workers per year through 2034 due to retirements (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025b).
Innovation and Performance
Research shows that diverse teams improve performance, increase innovation, and strengthen organizational culture (Accenture, 2024).
Community Impact
When women gain stable employment in strong industries, they contribute to healthier families and communities. Girls and young women also gain new role models who show what is possible.
What Works and Evidence-Based Strategies
Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Pathways
Programs supported by the Women’s Bureau WANTO grants have demonstrated strong outcomes by combining technical skill building with safety training, mentorship, and hands-on experience (Women’s Bureau, 2025).
Integrated Digital Learning
As more young women seek flexible learning options, online education, mobile learning modules, and hybrid mentoring models are critical for access and retention. Integrated portals that combine learning, tracking, and support are increasingly essential (CompTIA, 2024).
Mentorship and Sponsorship
Direct support from industry professionals helps women build confidence, navigate challenges, and feel less isolated in male-dominated environments (Women In Manufacturing, 2024).
Safety and Well-Being Supports
Correctly fitted equipment, anti-harassment training, and mental health resources increase retention and safety across trades and industrial fields (CPWR, 2024).
Employer Partnerships
Collaborations with industry, training providers, and apprenticeships help young women move from learning into real job placements. Successful examples include Women In Trucking, the Manufacturing Institute, and Women in Auto Care.
Industry Insights
Construction
Women make up a small part of the construction workforce. Most reports show women are between eleven and fourteen percent. This field offers strong pay and steady work, but many women face problems such as unsafe worksites, limited restroom access, and equipment that does not fit their bodies. Some women also feel alone in training programs because most classmates are men. With the right support and clear training paths, this field can offer long term stability and good careers.
Women make up 11 to 14 percent of the construction workforce.
Growth is slow. Main issues include limited mentorship, safety problems, harassment, and worksites that are not designed for women.
Manufacturing
Women hold around twenty nine percent of manufacturing jobs. This field is changing fast, especially with electric vehicles and advanced production. Many companies need new talent, but women still face obstacles such as lack of childcare, long shifts, and low awareness of technical career paths. When companies offer childcare support, skills training, and clear promotion paths, more women enter and stay in these roles.
Women hold about 29 percent of manufacturing jobs.
Barriers include lack of childcare, long and irregular shifts, and low exposure to technical training during school years.
Transportation
Women represent about twenty six percent of the transportation and warehousing sector. Jobs in this field include logistics, truck driving, equipment operation, and dispatch work. Women often report concerns about safety, long hours, and unpredictable schedules. Some carriers and logistics companies are improving safety policies and offering easier entry routes, which helps more women start careers in this field.
Women represent about 26 percent of the transportation and warehousing sector.
Truck driving has very low female participation. Safety and schedule control remain top concerns.
Energy and Utilities
Women make up around twenty six percent of this sector. Jobs include field work, engineering, and maintenance. Many roles require certificates or apprenticeships. Women who enter these programs often succeed, but they need strong support, safe worksites, and mentors who understand the challenges of the industry.
Women make up about 26 percent of this sector.
Many women enter roles through certificates, apprenticeships, or union training pathways.
Mining and Extraction
Women account for about fourteen percent of workers in mining and extraction. This is one of the most traditional fields. Women face cultural barriers, safety concerns, and very limited representation. Some companies are now offering new training programs for young women, but change is slow.
Women account for about 14 percent of the mining workforce.
This field remains very traditional and requires strong safety training.
Automotive & Motorsport
In motor vehicle manufacturing, women represent about twenty seven percent of the workforce. In the full automotive industry, including service and repair, women are around twenty four to twenty five percent. Auto repair remains one of the most male centered fields with only about twelve percent women. Still, electric vehicle production and new technology are opening doors for women with strong problem solving skills.
Motorsport has very low female representation. Across racing, engineering, and track support, women are between seven and thirteen percent. In karting, the youngest category, the share is higher. This is an important sign that early exposure helps girls stay in motorsport later in life. With more support, more girls and young women can enter technical roles, team operations, and engineering positions.
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing: Women are 27.6 percent of the workforce.
Automotive Industry Overall: Women are 24 to 25 percent.
Auto Repair: Women hold only 12 percent of jobs.
Motorsport: Women represent 7 to 13 percent, depending on the level. Karting shows higher participation among girls.
STEM
Women hold about twenty six percent of core STEM jobs in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and physical sciences. In broader STEM fields such as health sciences and life sciences, women are around thirty five percent. The main challenges include limited early exposure, few mentors, and lack of confidence in technical subjects. When schools and programs provide early support, girls are more likely to enter and stay in STEM careers.
Women hold about 26 percent of core STEM jobs.
These jobs include engineering, computer science, mathematics, and physical sciences.
The main challenges include limited early exposure, few mentors, and low confidence in technical subjects during school years.
Women represent about 35 percent of the broader STEM workforce.
This includes health sciences, life sciences, and research fields where female participation is higher.
Women earn fewer degrees in engineering and computer science compared to men.
Early and continuous support during middle school and high school increases the chances that girls will enter and stay in STEM programs later.
Why These Numbers Matter
These industries offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for long-term career growth. Underrepresentation means:
Women miss opportunities to build financial security.
Gender segregation continues across the economy.
Many fields lose potential talent that could help fill ongoing labor shortages.
The gaps also reflect deeper issues:
Early gender norms about “boys’ jobs” and “girls’ jobs.”
Lack of visible role models.
Limited access to hands-on training.Workplace cultures that do not feel safe or welcoming.
Childcare and transportation barriers.
End Note
Women remain underrepresented in sectors that shape the economy and offer solid career paths. However, real opportunities exist. Apprenticeships, employer partnerships, childcare support, and safety reforms provide clear routes forward. GGDF can play a strong role by helping girls and young women to access these fields with confidence and support.
This report provides a clear snapshot of the landscape as of late 2025 and offers a strong direction for the work ahead.
Do you want to receive the most recent and updated full report? Please connect with us: team@ggdf.org
References
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