The Department of Commerce has formally announced the “Women in Construction Framework,” which is part of Secretary Raimondo’s ongoing Million Women in Construction Initiative.  The Framework is an output from the CHIPS act, that aims to expand the American construction workforce by doubling the number of women in construction over the next decade. This matter was addressed during CIRT’s just concluded spring conference in Washington, DC.

As part of the announcement, the Department of Commerce also identified the first major commitments to this framework from Intel and Micron, both of who have signed Preliminary Memorandum of Terms (PMT) with the CHIPS Program Office. As signatories the companies can voluntarily adopt the Framework, helping support on-time and successful completion of CHIPS program-funded projects through work with contractors, trade unions, and other community and workforce partners that expands the construction workforce by increasing the participation of women and other economically disadvantaged individuals.   

In the coming months, companies that have adopted the Framework will work with the CHIPS Program Office (CPO), the Department of Commerce, as well as local partners, such as labor unions and community-based organizations, to develop and implement activities carrying out the best practices outlined in the Framework. 

For more information, see: DoC Press release: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2024/05/us-department-commerce-launches-chips-women-construction-framework-initial