west virginia women work


Graduates say:

"I am more confident in looking for work in the non-traditional fields that I enjoy."

"(Step-UP) changes your life for the better: knowledge, experience, confidence, networking, and new friends."

"I have become more skilled and I am more sure of myself."

"It is a great program and I feel it gives women a better chance in the carpentry field."

After Step-Up "I have something to look forward to."

"I can change career paths and survive."

Step-Up for Women

Step-Up for Women is a skilled trades training program designed to help women get jobs in building or highway construction and union apprenticeships.  We presently provide training in two locations in West Virginia.

Step-Up includes hands-on training in:

  • carpentry, welding, electrical wiring, and masonry.

Step-Up also works closely with the:

  • Department of Transportation, Division of Highways to provide training in road maintenance and highway construction.

Step-Up provides:

  • the ten-hour OSHA safety training, physical fitness training, and test preparation for union apprenticeships.

Step-Up students learn the essential skills to:

  • find and keep a job including: resume writing, interview skills, job search techniques, communication skills, and sexual harassment prevention. Students will attend presentations from skilled trades unions, commercial and residential employers, and tradeswomen.

woman using power saw

 

Step-Up trains our future women pioneers entering the skilled trades fields.

Where are Step-Up graduates working now?

  • Laborers Union
  • Carpenters Union
  • March-Westin
  • Orders Construction
  • West Virginia University Physical Plant
  • Tri County Electric
  • Cement Masons/ Plasters Union
  • Morgantown Machine and Hydraulics
  • WA Contracting
  • Swanson Industries
  • Starting their own businesses

Next Class

The next Step-Up for Women class will be starting February 2008. If you are interested in this program or would like more information please call the appropriate location:

Monongalia County
Step-Up for Women
1137 Van Voorhis Road,

Chelsea Square #15
Morgantown, West Virginia 26505

Project Coordinator- Kristina Szczyrbak

kristina@wvwomenwork.org

Phone: 304-598-0114

Berkeley County
Step-UP for Women
James Rumsey Technical Institute
3274 Hedgesville road
Martinsburg, West Virginia 25401-0259
Project Coordinator- Melissa Pletcher
melissa@wvwomenwork.org
Phone: 304-754-9258


step-up group 2005