National Institute of Building Sciences releases survey results and deep dive into diversity, equity, and inclusion
WASHINGTON, June 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The National Institute of Building Sciences has released its 2023 Built Environment Workforce Survey.
The new report, which was completed in partnership with Avenue M Group, takes the pulse on where things stand, with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It covers more ground, including a breakdown of the definition of diversity. More than seven in 10 respondents included race (75%), ethnicity (74%), gender (73%), and age (71%) in their definition of diversity within the context of the built environment.
Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents said it’s important to increase diversity of the built environment. And overall, younger respondents—aged 39 or younger (68%) and aged 40 to 49 (66%) — as well as women (79%) were more likely to indicate the importance with regard to increasing diversity.
“Nearly 30 partner organizations participated in this massive effort to look at diversity, inclusion, and social equity in our industry,” said AC Powell, JD, CPS, President and CEO of NIBS. “This report offers insight on leveling this playing field to open up opportunities for all.”
Highlights in the 2023 Built Environment Workforce Survey include:
- More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents were men, and about three in 10 (31%) were women.
- More than four in five (82%) identified as White and/or a person of European descent. Seven percent of respondents identified as Hispanic and/or Latina/Latino/Latinx; 4% identified as Black, African American, and/or a person of African descent; 4% identified as East Asian; and 3% identified as Native American, Alaska Native, First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit.
- Sixty-seven percent of respondents work in private industry or business.
- The majority said they are employed full-time (73%), and about half (51%) have been in the built environment for more than 20 years.
- With regard to discrimination, almost one-third (32%) indicated they have experienced discrimination or prejudice based on age.
- Around two-thirds (67%) of women indicated they have experienced discrimination or prejudice in the built environment based on gender.
