Celebrating Women in Construction Week in Georgia

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – We are in the last two days of Women in Construction Week, and Atlanta News First is highlighting one woman who is pushing her way to the top of her company one project at a time.

Sometimes, our careers can be family things. Your aunt might’ve been a teacher, so you decide to be a teacher. That was the journey for Ashley Hunter, except life had other plans. She went from wanting to be a teacher to going into the construction industry.

“I got the opportunity to take on the construction role, which opened up the door for Skanska,” said Ashley Hunter, subtractor engagement coordinator for Skanska. “I never thought that I would have the opportunity working in construction, bring boots on the ground, even wearing a hard-hat sometimes.”

With each project, Ashley became more and more interested in the behind-the-scenes work of construction.

“I think there is a great opportunity for women to understand that there is room for you in this space. I know it is a male-dominated industry, but there is opportunity for growth and advancement,” Hunter said.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, women continue to make up less than 15% of employees in the construction industry.

“I am an African American woman, and so a lot of times we don’t see a lot of women in these roles, especially in the leadership roles,” Hunter said.

Ashley is hoping to see those numbers change for the better.

“The support I have here in the office let me know that what I am doing is very big,” Hunter said. “Go for it. This is an amazing industry to work in.”

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