As industries struggle with a persistent shortage of Skilled Trade Workers companies are increasingly looking towards women as an important source of talent to fill vacancies in traditionally male-dominated occupations. From construction and heavy equipment operation to other technical trades, greater female participation could help address workforce gaps while opening up new career opportunities.
The experience of Sammy Cossairt, a tower crane operator in Nashville, Tennessee, illustrates how women are making their way into these demanding professions.
From Liberal Arts to Operating Tower Cranes
At 36, Cossairt has taken an unconventional career path. After earning an associate degree in liberal arts more than a decade ago, she explored several occupations, including Skilled Trade Workers working at a call centre, waiting tables and handling construction-related tasks. However, she discovered that she preferred working with heavy machinery, particularly hoisting concrete.
Today, she operates a tower crane on construction sites, undertaking physically and technically demanding responsibilities that require precision, concentration and confidence.
A Demanding Job at Hundreds of Feet
Cossairt typically works 12-hour shifts, operating a tower crane from a position that can be hundreds of feet above the ground. Her responsibilities include lifting and moving reinforcing steel bars, commonly known as rebar, as well as buckets of concrete to different locations on construction sites.
The role requires careful coordination and the ability to manage heavy loads safely while working at considerable heights. Despite the demanding nature of the job, Cossairt has found a sense of belonging in the profession.
Having spent nearly a decade operating cranes, she says she now feels at home in her machine, demonstrating how an unexpected career change can develop into a long-term professional pursuit.
Women and the Future of Skilled Trade Workers
Cossairt’s journey reflects the potential for women to contribute to industries facing challenges in attracting and retaining Skilled Trade Workers. As employers look beyond conventional recruitment pools, encouraging more women to consider technical and trade-based careers could help expand the available workforce.
Greater access to opportunities in construction and other skilled occupations can also challenge traditional perceptions about the types of jobs women can perform, creating pathways into careers that offer specialised skills and practical experience.
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