The hum of saws, the clatter of hammers, and the laughter of young voices filled the Whitbeck Construction Education Center in Gansevoort, New York this summer. What might sound like just another week in the life of a bustling construction shop was, in fact, something far more extraordinary: the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition (NCTWC), in partnership with Whitbeck Construction and WSWHE BOCES, proudly wrapped up another highly successful Girls Construction Summer Camp.

For two week-long sessions, from July 21–25 and July 28–August 1, middle school girls in grades 6 through 8 discovered that construction isn’t just about tools and materials—it’s about confidence, teamwork, and a future filled with possibilities.

Breaking Barriers in the Trades

Nationwide, only 11% of the construction workforce is female. That number speaks volumes about the hurdles young women face in imagining themselves in hard hats and steel-toe boots. The Girls Construction Summer Camp is designed to change that narrative. By giving girls hands-on opportunities to learn, build, and explore, the camp helps dismantle stereotypes and opens the door to careers too often overlooked.

“This camp is all about opening doors and driving awareness,” said Doug Ford, co-founder and President of NCTWC. “Every year we see the transformation—girls who come in unsure of themselves leave with confidence, skills, and the realization that they can succeed in this industry. That is the heart of what this program is about.”

From Toolboxes to Teamwork

Over the course of the camp, participants didn’t just observe construction—they lived it. They learned how to safely handle tools, apply math and science in practical ways, and build projects they could proudly carry home: toolboxes, benches, even Adirondack chairs.

Beyond the workshop, the camp extended learning into the community. Construction site visits and business field trips gave campers an inside look at what a future in the trades could mean, from project management to skilled craftwork. For many, it was the first time they had ever imagined themselves not just holding a hammer, but leading a team or running a job site.

And then there was the Construction Olympics. Equal parts fun and skill test, the event had campers working together to showcase what they’d learned—sparking both camaraderie and confidence.

A Coalition with a Mission

The Girls Construction Summer Camp is just one example of the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition’s growing impact. Founded by Doug Ford and Pam Stott (formerly of Curtis Lumber), the coalition became a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit in 2023 with a mission to strengthen the skilled trades workforce pipeline. By partnering with businesses, educators, and industry leaders, NCTWC is building programs that prepare tomorrow’s workforce today.

Since its founding, the coalition has rapidly expanded its outreach, establishing itself as a hub for workforce development in the region. The Girls Camp shines as a testament to what can be achieved when industry and education come together with a shared purpose: to inspire and equip the next generation of builders.

Building Futures, One Summer at a Time

For the girls who participated, the impact goes far beyond the projects they built or the skills they practiced. Many walked away with something even more valuable: the belief that they belong in construction. That realization could be the spark that changes the trajectory of their education, their career path, and, ultimately, the industry itself.

The Girls Construction Summer Camp is more than a summer program. It is a statement of possibility, a reminder that when opportunity meets encouragement, new futures can be built. The Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition is not only filling a labor need—it is rewriting the story of who gets to wear the hard hat, hold the blueprint, and lead the team.

And if this summer’s camp is any indication, the future of construction looks brighter, stronger, and far more inclusive than ever before.