WSWHE BOCES is focusing its efforts on narrowing this skills gap through a Women In Trades Initiative, a multi-year effort which it kicked off during this year’s Washington County Fair on Career and Technical Education (CTE) Day, Friday August 27, 2021.
WSWHE BOCES is starting a conversation with community members about how it can develop or improve opportunities for area women and girls to enter the skilled trades. Approximately one hundred participants representing local businesses, educational professionals, CTE students, CTE graduates, elected community leaders and civic organizations gathered to share ideas and strategies during a working lunch.
WSWHE BOCES District Superintendent James Dexter said, “we want to bring a variety of stakeholders together to map out how to change perceptions and work together to inspire more young women to get into the trades and to think more about non-traditional career paths.”
WSWHE BOCES District Superintendent James Dexter said, “we want to bring a variety of stakeholders together to map out how to change perceptions and work together to inspire more young women to get into the trades and to think more about non-traditional career paths.”
A panel of business leaders help frame the discussion: Aindrea Lundberg, Fort Miller Group Human Resources Representative; Margie Miller, Curtis Lumber, Architectural Representative and former roofing company owner; Susana Redrovan, GlobalFoundries Facility Electrical Manager; and Carissa Smolyn, Day Automation Account Manager.
The US Department of Labor Statistics reports that women are substantially underrepresented (relative to their share of total employment) in agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, transportation, utilities and other skilled trades. The jobs that are available and will become available are suffering a shortage and women can help fill those gaps. There are opportunities for learning and careers in these industries that WSWHE BOCES aims to help women realize are out there.
“This is just the start of our work. We know we have a lot to do. But by bringing these groups together, we hope to begin to make a difference,” said Dexter.
More events will be announced in the near future.
Click here for a video about the event.
For photos from the lunch, please visit our Facebook page.
