BOSTON (WWLP) - Women and people of color are underrepresented in construction jobs and skilled trades, and Governor Healey signed an executive order to level the playing field. According to the Healey administration, women make up just 11% of the industry workforce and 4% of trade occupations. The new executive order is meant to increase women and people of color's participation in the construction industry by creating a participation committee, identifying and encouraging best practices for increasing women and diversity participation, and improving workforce data collection. Governor Healey spoke about the importance of this order. "The construction industry offers good-paying jobs and benefits that sustain families...not only is it good for these workers and their families, but it's also good for our employers and our economy as a whole," said the governor. The U.S Secretary of Commerce says the provisions in this executive order are made possible by investments in American manufacturing and infrastructure from the Biden administration. "We have a unique opportunity to bring more women into the trades than ever before – into good-paying, quality, union jobs...we're stepping up the momentum so that more women can join the construction industry over the next decade," said Secretary Gina Raimondo. The order will encourage contractors to hire from local businesses and provide services like childcare, among other recommendations.