Two-Day Training Camp Gives Young Girls Hands-On Construction Experience

The construction industry is facing an ongoing labor shortage, and especially among women, who hold just 4% of labor-related construction roles. To help promote interest in careers in the trades among young women, global construction firm DPR Construction and girls’ leadership organization Girls Inc. recently partnered to host a two-day Design & Build Camp in Philadelphia. During the camp, 25 girls aged 10 to 14 gathered at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia project site for a real-world, hands-on construction experience. The camp introduced participants to construction tools and technologies and attendees also participated in safety demonstrations, virtual reality walkthroughs, and creative engineering challenges.

“There are more projects to build in America than skilled workers to build them,” said Scott Sircovitch, project executive, DPR Construction. “At DPR, we want to do our part to expand pathways to construction careers and build strong communities. The Girls Inc. camp is one of the many ways we’re hoping to inspire the next generation of builders and show them what’s possible when they’re given access, mentorship and the opportunity to explore careers they may not have considered.”

“This camp wasn’t just about learning new skills—it was about expanding what our girls believe is possible,” said Lillian Knoerzer, partnership manager at Girls Inc. “When girls are surrounded by people who believe in them and invest in their growth, they begin to see themselves as innovators and changemakers. That’s the power of this partnership—it helps girls step into their strength and envision bold futures.”