Rhode Island Senate adopts resolution to expand access for women in the building trades

The Rhode Island Senate on Thursday adopted a resolution affirming the state's commitment to supporting women in the building trades and expanding equitable access to careers in the construction industry. The measure was read into the record by the clerk and moved for passage by Senate President Gallo; members adopted it by voice vote.

The resolution cites national apprenticeship data showing persistent racial and gender disparities in construction and notes that women make up about 4.3% of the construction workforce. It also points to state workforce initiatives, including Real Jobs Rhode Island and registered-apprenticeship expansion programs, as models for increasing participation of women and people of color in high-wage construction careers.

Senate President Gallo urged colleagues to back the resolution, saying the industry offers "good union jobs" with family-sustaining wages and arguing for early outreach to encourage women and girls to pursue construction careers. "We need these union jobs and we need women, girls to pick up construction jobs early on," Gallo said on the floor. She moved passage of the resolution during the session and the presiding officer called for a voice vote; "the ayes have it," and the resolution was adopted.

The resolution endorses continued efforts by the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council and its women's council to recruit, train and retain women in the construction industry. It also directs the secretary of state to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council and its women's council.

The measure is a nonbinding Senate resolution expressing policy priorities and support for workforce-development strategies; no statutory change or funding appropriation was included in the text read on the floor. The resolution notes a median annual wage for construction occupations in Rhode Island exceeding $65,000 in 2024 and emphasizes using high-road labor standards, apprenticeship utilization and workforce reporting on public capital projects.

The resolution was adopted during the regular session on March 12, 2026. The clerk was directed to transmit certified copies to the organizations named in the resolution.