Number of female electricians, plumbers and mechanics reaches 25 year high

A stonemason carves new stonework in the Minster's Stoneyard in York, northern England on April 18, 2019. - The stories of York Minster and Notre-Dame have faithfully traced each other's footsteps over the centuries. The Minster was completed in 1360 -- just 15 years after Notre-Dame -- and shares the same building materials and shape as its Parisian cousin. Thirty-five years ago it was York Minster in northern England that went up in flames after a bolt of lightning pierced its tower and sent flames licking across its thick oak roof. (Photo by OLI SCARFF / AFP) (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

Women are increasingly taking jobs in the blue-collar fields that have long been male-dominated.

More and more women are being employed as construction laborers, truck drivers, police officers, security guards and more. According to the Labor Department, 43% more women worked in transportation and material moving last year than in 2000. Women employed in construction increased 23% and the amount of women working in protective service jobs increased to more than 40% since 2000.

So why are more women showing up in the blue-collar workforce? Two economy reporters at the Wall Street Journal say this trend is being driven by broadened recruitment efforts, more women on the job and better wages, among other factors.

If you’re a woman working a blue-collar job, what’s your experience been like? What about the job appealed to you? And have you noticed any obstacles? Weigh in and call us at 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Sarah Chaney, economy reporter for the Wall Street Journal, who wrote the piece “Women Wanted: Blue-Collar Fields Find New Workforce”; she tweets

Tweets by sechaney

Gad Levanon, chief economist at The Conference Board, the nonprofit research firm that contributed data to the WSJ piece; his research focuses on the economy and trends in U.S.