Monday, July 14, 2025

Paving the Way: A Woman's Journey in ICF Construction

Construction work can be challenging, but the rewards are worth the effort

By Anne Jan, Representative Intern

As I ascend the eight stories of concrete steps, the echo of my work boots is loud in the unfinished building. Reaching the top, I hear a drumming noise that I later learn is the sound of a concrete vibrator designed to remove air bubbles from the concrete.

As my eyes adjust to the blinding sunlight, I see a short woman wearing a black helmet covered in stickers and aviator sunglasses walking toward my colleague and me. She introduces herself: “Hi, I'm Kandace.”

Although initially she seems reticent, we begin talking and I ask about the process of constructing using ICF (insulated concrete forms). She lights up. She offers to give me a tour, and as she deftly weaves through the construction site, I follow behind, gingerly watching my step. I was drawn to interview Kandace because she is passionate about her work and her desire to see more women in her field of work.

She asks if I want to climb a ladder to see down the shaft of what looks like a wall built with Styrofoam Lego building blocks. I hold tightly to the railing, my hands gritty with concrete dust, as she explains how the Styrofoam blocks clip together to form a wall.

Looking down into the dark shaft filled with metal rebar, Kandace climbs up beside me with the agility of a cat. She explains how they fill the form with concrete and then use a giant vibrator, threading it down to vibrate the concrete to prevent air bubbles, which, if not addressed, will weaken the structure. She explains that after the concrete cures, the ICFs remain in place, providing continuous insulation on both sides of the wall.

Why someone might choose this method over a more traditional construction is because it offers numerous benefits, including enhanced energy efficiency, durability, and resistance to moisture and fires. This type of construction, used in both commercial and residential buildings, isn’t new but has been gaining popularity in recent years. It helps offset increased energy costs and is more environmentally sustainable.

We climb down from the scaffolding and sit down to talk about her experience in construction, specifically with ICF.

“I started out 15 years ago working in construction generally,” she says. Initially drawn to spending time outside, she explains, “I wanted to be out in the sun and fresh air. I tried working in an office, but being cooped up all day wasn’t for me.”

She had thought she wanted to work with animals and had gone to school to become a veterinary technician while keeping her job in construction. Her employer at the time was supportive and accommodated her study schedule.

However, being an avid animal lover, she found the process of euthanizing animals to be a difficult part of her job. Additionally, the pay wasn’t as high.

When her friend Crystal showed her a paycheque for working in ICF construction, Kandace quit her job and started working with Crystal in ICF the next day.

I ask her about Crystal and if they still work together. A wave of sadness crosses her face. “Unfortunately, she died in a tragic car accident a few years ago. I lost my best friend and my mentor that day.”

I asked her what it meant to have a female mentor in construction.

“Well, I wouldn't have known about ICF construction if it wasn’t for Crystal,” she says. “She was patient, and I could come to her when I didn’t know something.”

Kandace talks about how learning a new skill can come with challenges because experienced staff can sometimes be unwilling to teach inexperienced new hires or make them feel stupid. “But I could always go to Crystal if I needed help, and she was always willing to explain or show me what to do.”

Kandace now tries to be willing to help new workers because she enjoys teaching and has empathy for how it feels to be new and unsure of what to do.

She says that ICF is less labour intensive, making it an ideal type of work for women wanting to get into construction.

“I want to see more women enter into this type of construction because precast construction is much harder on your body,” she explains.

While ICF still requires heavy lifting, it is an easier process. Although the process itself is simple and follows a repetitive pattern, she is learning something new every day.

“I’ve learned how they put in an elevator shaft or how to frame a window,” she says. “The skills I’ve learned will help me one day when I have my own house.”

Being exposed to many other trades in construction means she is constantly learning, and it makes her work varied and engaging.

She wants to see more women in construction, noting that women bring skills like collaboration, organization, and efficiency, as well as the hustle of being able to work hard, which can help them succeed in this line of work.

“I wish we could do a ‘bring a friend to work’ day," she says. “I think women would enjoy construction but aren’t exposed to it, so they don’t consider it as a career option.”

She also feels that women experience anxiety or fear because they would be working with a lot of men. Adjusting her helmet, she adds, “I've faced some very disrespectful men.”

I ask her about her experience with sexism working in a male-dominated field. “Oh, yeah, most men are fine with me, but some men, especially from the older generation, just treat me badly,” she says.

She lists examples from crude comments, judging her competence, not willing to help her out, and generally making dismissive comments because of her gender. She clarifies that her current employer, Alder Concrete Group Ltd., has a very supportive work environment, and her supervisors and managers don’t tolerate it.

“But it really does depend on your employer and managers,” she says, “And not all places are like that.

“I really want to see more women in construction. I think if it was more normalized, versus me being one of only two women on a job site, it would make more women comfortable to want to work in this field.”

She believes that an environment where more women and men work together would change the construction work culture for the better.

I ask her if a younger woman asked you about working in construction, what would you say?

“I'd say try it out,” she says. “You'll never know if you don’t try. Besides, bringing home a good wage is a pretty good benefit, too.”

Inspired by Kandace’s story?

If you’re ready to explore your own path in the trades—or know a woman who is—CLAC’s Supporting Women in Trades (SWiT) program is here to help. From career guidance and training support to job search assistance and mentorship, we’re with you every step of the way.

Start your journey today at clac.ca/swit.

Paving the Way: A Woman's Journey in ICF Construction

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