A joint mentorship initiative launched by the Restoration Industry Association, the National Association of Women in Construction, and the IICRC has matched 200 women entering the restoration industry with experienced contractors for a 12-month structured mentorship program.
The program, called Restore Her Future, pairs each mentee with a mentor who holds at least five years of restoration experience and one or more IICRC certifications. Mentors commit to monthly one-on-one calls, quarterly job site visits, and access to their professional network for job referrals and business development opportunities.
The program also includes four group workshops per year covering technical topics — moisture mapping, scope writing, insurance negotiation — and business topics including financing, marketing, and building carrier relationships.
Of the 200 participants in the inaugural cohort, 140 are currently employed in restoration roles, 35 are in IICRC certification training, and 25 are in the process of starting their own restoration businesses.
"The mentorship model works because it's not just information transfer," said RIA Foundation Executive Director Susan Harrington. "It's relationship building. The women in this program are getting access to the professional network that has historically been the biggest barrier to entry in this industry."
