Solid futures for women in home construction industry.

While men have traditionally dominated careers in the building trades, women are steadily entering the workforce for the same reasons as men: They want more active fulfilling and creative jobs.

Today's home-building industry has crossed the "gender line" and offers both men and women careers where they can use their creative talents with an unlimited potential for professional advancement and personal growth. Young adults who want to earn good money, have job security and feel a sense of pride in a profession, recognize the unlimited opportunities the industry offers.

Skilled craftspeople - men and women - are among the most sought-after and respected professionals in the nation, and work in one of the single largest economic influences in America. They build America's future by building its homes and communities.

For many years, women have been fixtures in the sales forces of both residential and commercial real estate companies. But women are quickly moving into the executive level of the industry's construction component

At Garden State Brickface, a residential and commercial remodeling company in Roselle, NJ, Cindy Wilson was recently been named vice president and controller of the company Garden State Brickface President and CEO David Moore said Moore "has contributed greatly to the success of our company."

Whether on a job site or in the boardroom, women are joining men in taking advantage of training opportunities to learn the different facets of the industry.

Opportunities for both men and women in construction have increased over the past few years. These advancements have been aided by efforts of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and others.

At nearly 100 colleges, universities, and vocational-technical schools, the NAHB has organized student charters which help provide students with information on the job market and national building trends. The Home Builders Institute (HBI), the educational arm of NAHB, offers intermediate and advanced continuing education courses through state and local home builders associations.

Although only three percent of all construction industry employees are female, skilled tradeswomen are a large, untapped labor source that will help construction industry employers meet their demand for skilled workers in the years ahead. Builders always need a constant labor pool to draw from in order to meet production schedules.

Training for men and women is available through many different organizations across the nation. Here are some places to go for more information about careers in home building:

* The Home Builders Institute can be contacted at 800-795-7955 for information about non-traditional employment opportunities for women and a home video. Most NAHB members will offer on-the-job training programs;

* Job Corps, a federally-funded residential job training and education program for at-risk youth, ages 16-24.

* Industry-Education Alliance has a carpentry framing program for adults in nine cities. For information call [phone].

* Continuing education courses at area colleges and universities, local unions, vocational-technical schools and community colleges;

* And finally, in the near future, the ABO website, www.abogny.com, will soon be hosting sections on education and employment opportunities. Watch for it!