Majority of Chicago-Based Skilled Tradeswomen Feel They Are Playing a Critical Role in Building the Country's Future; Nearly Half Anticipate Working on Major Infrastructure Such As Data Centers

Rhea-AI Summary

DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) brand, released a survey of Chicago tradeswomen revealing strong industry optimism. The survey, conducted ahead of the Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference, shows that 87% of respondents feel they are playing a critical role in building the country's future.

Key findings include 45% of participants anticipating involvement in data center projects supporting the AI boom, with projected investments of up to $2.8 trillion by 2030. The survey highlighted that 52% are excited about high skill demand, while 51% welcome technological advances. Through its Grow The Trades initiative, DEWALT has committed $60 million to support skilled labor development.

Positive

• Strong workforce sentiment with 89% feeling they belong and 88% feeling supported by co-workers
• High industry optimism with 83% feeling positive about future of skilled trades for women
• $60 million commitment from DEWALT to support skilled labor development
• Significant market opportunity with $2.8 trillion projected investment in data center infrastructure by 2030

Negative

• None.

• Ahead of this weekend's Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference, the world's largest annual gathering for women in the unionized construction trades, DEWALT^® surveyed Chicago tradeswomen to learn about their career journey and industry outlook
• More than half feel excited about the increased demand for skilled workers and are open to new technology, including advanced power tools and equipment, AI-powered design or estimating tools, and digital project management tools

CHICAGO, Sept. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new generation of young women in the skilled trades is playing a key role in advancing the nation's infrastructure, according to a new Chicago-based survey from DEWALT^®, a Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) brand and leader in total jobsite solutions.

With the U.S. projected to invest up to $2.8 trillion in data center infrastructure by 2030,¹ almost half (45%) of participants say they will be involved in data center projects to support the AI boom. In parallel, most women in the skilled trades (87%) feel they are playing a critical role in building the future of the country and aspire to work on larger, more complex projects (47%).

Ahead of the Tradeswomen Build Nations conference in Chicago (September 19-21), DEWALT commissioned the survey to better understand the experiences of women in construction and to enable the industry to attract and retain women.

What Most Excites Women About the Future of the Trades

• When considering the future of the trades, survey participants said they were most excited about their skills being in high demand (52%); advances in technology, including AI (51%); and new infrastructure projects (49%).
• Survey participants are very open to new technology, including advanced power tools and equipment (53%), AI-powered design or estimating tools (50%) and digital project management tools (44%).

Industry and Career Sentiment

Tradeswomen participating in the survey shared an overwhelmingly positive picture of their feelings, outlook and perceptions of their industry.

• Survey participants said they feel like they belong and are part of the team (89%) and feel supported by their co-workers (88%).
• Survey participants feel pride in their work (87%), feel their work is exciting (84%) and feel confidence in their skills (91%).
• Eighty-three percent feel optimistic about the future of the skilled trades for women, and 82% describe their career opportunities in Chicago as good or excellent.

"Women in construction are eager to play a part in building the future and want to feel supported in doing so. The survey found tradeswomen in Chicago feel they have this support, which is extremely encouraging as we expect 5,000 tradeswomen to convene in the city this weekend for Tradeswomen Build Nations," said Maria Ford, president of U.S. commercial and industrial at DEWALT^®. "While these results are encouraging, more research is needed to determine whether the outlook of Chicago tradeswomen reflects a national shift in the experiences of women in the trades. Nonetheless, the findings are exciting and I am hopeful that this is a trend we will continue to see in the industry."

Why Women Are Staying in the Trades

The top reasons that survey participants have stayed in the skilled trades are job stability (38%), good pay (30%), flexible work schedules or work-life balance (30%), opportunities to learn new skills (26%) and working with technology (25%).

Survey participants selected many of the same categories when asked what would make them leave and what the industry needs to do to support women, emphasizing how pivotal these points are.

Top resources that are important to tradeswomen are skills training and education (51%); mentorship, specifically from women (40%); and mentorship from both men and women (37%).

The Tradeswomen Build Nations conference offers workshops, networking and leadership development for tradeswomen of all skill levels. Facilitated by tradeswomen, union leaders and industry partners, the event provides a space for solidarity, mentorship and the sharing of best practices to recruit, retain and uplift women in construction careers.

Through its Grow The Trades initiative, DEWALT has committed $60 million to providing greater accessibility, education and resources for tradespeople in an effort to help close the skilled labor gap. DEWALT is dedicated to empowering the construction workforce and building a stronger tomorrow – one jobsite at a time. To learn more, visit dewalt.com/growthetrades.

¹https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/the-data-center-balance-how-us-states-can-navigate-the-opportunities-and-challenges    

Methodology
The survey included 210 respondents and yielded a 95% confidence rate + 6.76%. Responses were collected online between August 20 and September 5, 2025. Quotas ensured respondents were tradeswomen (ages 18+) in the Greater Chicago area specializing in HVAC (60%), Plumbing (50%), Electrical (22%), Carpentry (13%), Concrete (11%) and/or Welding (10%), including both English-speaking (81%) and Spanish-speaking (19%) respondents. 

About DEWALT
DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, is a leader in total jobsite solutions. For more than 100 years, DEWALT has been powering the future of construction with tools and technologies that have been designed, built and tested to help deliver safety and productivity on every jobsite. For more information, visit www.dewalt.com or follow DEWALT on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Stanley Black & Decker
Founded in 1843 and headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in Tools and Outdoor, operating manufacturing facilities globally. The Company's approximately 48,000 employees produce innovative end-user inspired power tools, hand tools, storage, digital jobsite solutions, outdoor and lifestyle products, and engineered fasteners to support the world's builders, tradespeople and DIYers. The Company's world-class portfolio of trusted brands includes DEWALT^®, CRAFTSMAN^®, STANLEY^®, BLACK+DECKER^® and Cub Cadet^®. To learn more, visit www.stanleyblackanddecker.com or follow Stanley Black & Decker on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

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SOURCE DEWALT

FAQ

What percentage of Chicago tradeswomen expect to work on data center infrastructure projects?

According to the DEWALT survey, 45% of Chicago tradeswomen anticipate being involved in data center projects to support the AI boom.

How much is Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) investing in the Grow The Trades initiative?

DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, has committed $60 million through its Grow The Trades initiative to provide greater accessibility, education, and resources for tradespeople.

What are the top reasons women stay in trades according to the SWK survey?

The top reasons are job stability (38%), good pay (30%), flexible work schedules (30%), opportunities to learn new skills (26%), and working with technology (25%).

What percentage of Chicago tradeswomen feel optimistic about the future of skilled trades?

83% of surveyed tradeswomen in Chicago feel optimistic about the future of the skilled trades for women.

How many tradeswomen participated in the Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) Chicago survey?

The survey included 210 respondents from various trades including HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry, Concrete, and Welding, with a 95% confidence rate.