Women in carpentry continue to gain momentum as the trade evolves in 2026, taking on more leadership roles and expanding their growth opportunities. With improved training, stronger professional networks, and increased visibility, more women are entering the field and advancing into management positions.
Industry-wide inclusion efforts and advancements in technology are also making carpentry more accessible than ever, empowering women to innovate, elevate craftsmanship, and shape the future of the trade.
Women in Carpentry: Leadership, Growth, and Opportunity in 2026
Featured Leader: Kimberly Remmereid, Founder, Contour Construction
Kimberly Remmereid founded Contour Construction in 2015 and leads the company with a focus on excellence, inclusive leadership, and mentoring new carpenters. She brings extensive experience, positive energy, and a commitment to collaboration and skill development, mirroring 2026 trends in carpentry as more women move into management, mentorship, and advanced training opportunities.
In 2007, Kimberly was recognized with the Woman in Leadership Top Award from the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. She is a role model and advocate for women pursuing careers in the trade. Her leadership ensures Contour delivers top-quality services to owners, general contractors, and employees alike, while inspiring the next generation of female carpenters.
Evolving Leadership Roles for Women in Carpentry
Women in carpentry are stepping into leadership, guiding teams and projects while helping shift jobsite culture. Mentorship and visible role models are fueling this momentum and setting the stage for broader change.
Breaking Stereotypes in the Construction Industry
Women are proving that strength and technical mastery aren’t defined by gender, excelling in framing, finishing, and specialized work. Their performance is pushing employers to reward skill, and diverse leadership is improving problem-solving and project outcomes.
Women Leading Teams and Projects
More women are running crews and managing construction schedules, client communications, and subcontractor coordination. Their leadership prioritizes collaboration, safety, and inclusion, shaping hiring and training practices across the craft.
Mentorship and Role Modeling
More women are running crews and managing construction schedules, client communications, and subcontractor coordination. Their leadership prioritizes collaboration, safety, and inclusion, shaping hiring and training practices across the craft.
Career Growth and Professional Development
Women in carpentry advance through apprenticeships, technical education, and credentials like OSHA and NCCER, with growing opportunities to start and lead their own businesses. These paths increase control over projects and culture while elevating inclusive hiring and leadership.
Inspiring Women in Woodworking
- April Wilkerson (Wilker Do’s). A standout DIY builder and educator, she turns complex projects into clear, step-by-step builds that boost confidence for beginners and pros alike. Her large catalog across video and blog formats has broadened access to woodworking education and inspired millions.
- Ana White (Ana White DIY). A trailblazer in sharing free, builder-friendly plans, she helped launch a global community of first-time makers. Her focus on approachable designs and clear instructions has lowered barriers to entry and encouraged self-reliance.
- Jen Woodhouse (House of Wood). A designer and instructor known for polished, practical projects, she blends craftsmanship with design-forward thinking. Through widely published tutorials and brand collaborations, she elevates everyday builds and teaches skills that translate to real homes
Training and Certification Pathways
Women in carpentry progress through trade schools, apprenticeships, and technical programs, often adding certifications in safety, woodworking, or project management. Apprenticeships typically run 3–4 years with paid, on-the-job training plus classes, building experience for higher pay, larger projects, and supervisory roles.
As skills grow, women advance into foreman, site manager, and other leadership positions where planning, safety, communication, and teamwork are essential. Many also launch carpentry businesses or subcontracting services, making business and client relations skills key.
Women-focused programs, online courses, and workshops build both technical and leadership abilities. Mentorship networks and professional organizations add guidance, safety training, career advice, and sometimes scholarships or grants to help women advance.
Expanding Opportunities and Industry Impact
Women in carpentry are moving into specialized niches, launching businesses, and helping drive social and economic progress across the trades. These shifts create more paths into leadership while strengthening job quality and innovation.
Women are entering areas such as green building, restoration, and tech-integrated construction, gaining expertise in sustainable materials, preservation work, and smart-home systems. Support from unions and training programs improves access to these roles through targeted apprenticeships and credentials.
Many women are also starting carpentry businesses, which gives them more control over projects, workplace culture, and growth. As owners, they can shape hiring practices, promote diversity, and use their platforms to advocate for fair wages and inclusive job sites.
Greater gender diversity on crews leads to stronger problem-solving, more creative solutions, and better project outcomes. Bringing more women into the field also boosts family incomes, supports local economies, and helps address skilled labor shortages while reducing turnover through more respectful, inclusive workplaces.
Contour Construction | Commercial Carpentry Omaha, NE
Are you looking to elevate your commercial space with unique carpentry designs? Consult with a skilled carpenter to discuss how you can incorporate custom woodwork into your business's interior design strategy.
Contour can complete large and small carpentry and concrete projects:
- Multi‐Family Residential
- Commercial
- Educational
- Small-scale tenant improvement and build-out projects
- Senior Living Facilities
- Churches
- Schools
Contact Contour Construction to outline your performance in carpentry on your next project. Click to check out our services, and projects, or contact us today
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