During Women in Construction Week 2026, Ideal Contracting hosted an engaging panel discussion at the Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center in Detroit. The panel featured members of the Ideal team alongside representatives from local skilled trades unions, including several tradeswomen who shared their experiences and insights from the field. Students from César Chavez Academy, Randolph Career and Technical Center, and Chippewa Valley School’s CTE Program were among the attendees.
The morning also included a visit from Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who delivered an encouraging message about the future of the construction industry, particularly the growing opportunities for women in Michigan and across the country. The Governor also joined students in a hands-on activity, building personal toolboxes with volunteers from the Carpenters Skilled Training Center and Ideal Contracting.
Also participating in the event were several industry partners who engaged with students and staff, including Local 324 Operating Engineers, Local 687 Carpenters Union, IBEW Local 58, NAWIC Detroit, MUST Careers, and ACE Mentor Program of Southeast Michigan.
“Ideal Contracting has been orchestrating a Women in Construction panel for five years now, and this year’s was our biggest success yet,” said Jennifer Torres, VP of the Construction Group at Ideal Contracting. “It was exciting to welcome students from across Metro Detroit into the Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center and give them an engaging look at what it’s like to be a woman in construction. We were especially honored to have Governor Whitmer provide such a powerful message; it truly capped off an outstanding day.”
The panel was organized by the Women of Ideal, a collective of driven women within the company dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and empowering environment across the construction industry. Their efforts with this panel—alongside the participation of tradeswomen, industry partners, and the Governor—continue to drive meaningful change within the community.
Ideal Contracting is a trusted general contractor serving Michigan and the surrounding states. Beyond their regional expertise, Ideal is nationally recognized as a leading steel erector, with projects spanning across the United States. The family-owned, certified MBE employs more than 400 union self-perform professionals and over 150 full-time staff who uphold the company’s long-standing commitment to building together. Ideal Contracting delivers successful projects across diverse market sectors—including automotive/manufacturing, sports/entertainment, higher education, and energy/petrochemical. The company’s people-first philosophy is strengthened by a best-in-class safety program, robust talent development pipeline, and deep-rooted engagement in its Southwest Detroit community.
Learn more at idealcontracting.com
