TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – As Florida\u2019s construction industry continues to grow, one local organization is working to introduce young women to careers in the field. <\/p>\n
The Build HER Florida Summer Camp <\/a>is kicking off Monday to give girls in grades 8-12 a hands-on opportunity to learn about construction, infrastructure, transportation and other skill trades.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s such a great need for so many jobs in this industry, and the fact that we\u2019re exposing young women to those opportunities, the industry is really grateful,\u201d said Joanna Copenhaver, the founder of Build Her Florida.<\/p>\n Copenhaver said women make up about 12% to 15% of Florida\u2019s construction workforce. She hopes the two-day camp will expose girls to careers they may not have previously considered in a male-dominated industry.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to be a truck driver, if you want to be a laborer out in the road and do the paving and put the asphalt down, obviously, there are so many projects in Florida as you\u2019re driving along, you see all of these men working on these projects, and in fact women can work on these projects,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Copenhaver said the camp is also meant to show students that a four-year degree isn\u2019t the only path to a successful career. <\/p>\n The two-day Build HER Summer Camp is an extension of Florida Connect Academy<\/a>, also founded by Copenhaver. The workforce development program supports young adults through career exploration, skills training and mentorship. <\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n