METRO BOARD APPROVES HORVATH MOTION TO EXPAND WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

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LOS ANGELES, CA (March 27, 2025) –Today, the Metro Board of Directors approved a motion authored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath and co-authored by Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis, Los Angeles City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, and City of Whittier Councilmember Fernando Dutra, to address systemic barriers and expand opportunities for women on Metro-funded construction projects.

“Women have always played a critical role in building our communities, but they remain significantly underrepresented in the construction industry,” said Supervisor and Metro Board Member, Lindsey P. Horvath. “With this motion, we’re working to remove barriers, like a lack of childcare and reliable transportation, and create more supportive, inclusive workplace environments across the region. We’re making sure Metro’s public investments open doors for more women to enter the industry and succeed in these careers.”

The motion builds on Metro’s recently updated Construction Workforce Disparity Study, conducted in response to an earlier motion introduced by Supervisor Horvath and approved by the Metro Board, which revealed that while Metro exceeds the regional average for women participation in the Construction Trades, it still falls short of Metro’s goals. Key barriers identified include lack of childcare, limited training access, unsupportive work environments, and a lack of regional cohesion necessary to achieve female hiring goals.

To address these challenges, the motion:

  • Expands workforce equity standards in Metro’s procurement process, including childcare, transportation, and inclusive workplace culture requirements;
  • Creates a Regional Roundtable to coordinate action among contractors, unions, public agencies, and workforce development leaders;
  • Launches a “Built By Her” campaign to reach women and girls through social media, mentorship, and engagement with partners in sports and the arts;
  • Establishes a Women in the Trades Summit and a Construction Female Advisory Group to uplift best practices and mentorship opportunities;
  • Directs a report back by June 2025 with proposed procurement and accountability measures tied to contractor hiring performance and workplace equity standards.

Supervisor Horvath’s leadership builds on her long-standing commitment to closing gender gaps and investing in equity throughout Los Angeles County.

To stay updated on Supervisor Horvath’s workforce equity initiatives, sign up for the Third District newsletter at lindseyhorvath.lacounty.gov.