Women in the Trades

In 2019 CSA's Building Futures Pre-Apprenticeship Program received the Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations (WANTO) grant from the Department of Labor - Women’s Bureau. This grant has allowed us to host FREE 6-week female-only pre-apprenticeship cohorts in partnership with area apprenticeship programs, whose expertise in the crafts is unparalleled and complements what we offer. These cohorts are specifically designed to assist women interested in the construction trades to be successful in long term well-paying careers. Women only make up 3% of the construction industry and we are working to change that!

What is Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship?

Interested in Applying to Building Futures Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Women?

To be eligible you must...

Drug free, including marijuana
DC or Maryland resident
Be 21 years or older
Be able to lift up to 40 lbs
Have a high school diploma or GED
Have a valid drivers license or learners permit
Be interested in a career in the trades!

If you meet this criteria and are interested in applying to our program, reach out to Sylvia Casaro Dietert at scasaro@dclabor.org. After an initial phone intake interview, you will attend an information session, complete a math and reading placement test, pass a drug test, and a final in person interview. You may also be asked to participant in a full-day hands on activity prior to entrance into class.

Mentorship

Are you a woman interested in sharing your experience with other women entering the trades? Are you just getting into the trades and looking for community and guidance? Then you're a good candidate for our mentorship program! We are looking for both mentors and mentees. There are no special requirements, just a desire to join a community of women in the skilled trades. If you are interested, please fill out the form in the link below.

MENTORSHIP APPLICATION

Resource Guide:

There is a broad online community of women in the trades who can answer all of your specific questions and offer insight before you take the plunge:

Sisters in the Building Trades
Women Build Nations, an annual conference for women in the trades
Pride and a Paycheck
National Taskforce on Tradeswomen Issues
Tradeswomen Tuesday, a bi-monthly blog post featuring women in the trades
What do to if you’re being harassed at work
Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW)