Women building New Orleans strong

nawic history

Founded in 1953, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is an international non-profit organization representing more than 5,500 members across over 160 chapters worldwide. For more than six decades, NAWIC has championed the advancement of women in the construction industry, supporting careers that span business ownership, management, and the skilled trades.

Today, with nearly 1.1 million women working in construction, the industry continues to evolve and embrace women in traditionally underrepresented roles. Throughout its history, NAWIC’s mission has remained constant: to enhance the success of women in construction.

NAWIC provides a wide range of educational opportunities for all ages. Youth programs introduce students to construction as a viable and rewarding career path, while professional development and certification programs help adults advance their careers. For more than 35 years, the NAWIC Education Foundation (NEF) has delivered innovative educational initiatives for elementary through high school students, as well as nationally recognized certification programs for industry professionals.

NEF’s award-winning programs—including Block Kids, Building Design, and CAD/Design/Drafting Scholarship competitions—expose students to construction careers and hands-on learning experiences. NEF also offers professional certifications such as Construction Bookkeeping Technician (CBT), Construction Document Technician (CDT), Construction Industry Specialist (CIS), Construction Industry Technician (CIT), and Estimating & Scheduling Practitioner (ESP), all administered through Clemson University.

Since its inception, the NAWIC Founders’ Scholarship Foundation (NFSF), along with NAWIC chapters nationwide, has awarded more than $4 million in scholarships to students pursuing construction-related education.