Insulators Local 50 trainer paving the way for more women in trades

International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50 Trainer Darla Reed, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her journey to becoming a Trainer and Foreman with Local 50. Reed also discussed her difficulties as a female apprentice and how the building trades work to provide women with a better career path.

Reed began her work as a customer service employee with a few different companies during college. After completing her Associate's Degree in Equine Sciences, Reed realized she needed to find a career she enjoyed that could pay off the debt accrued from her education. She followed in the footsteps of her brother, who is a member of Local 50. Reed decided to apply for the apprenticeship program, and six months after completing the program, she became a Foreman and a Trainer with Local 50’s apprenticeship program.

As a woman in the trades, Reed needed to adapt to the job's demands while facing different challenges than her male counterparts. It wasn’t just the physical demands that made the change difficult. She discussed how she approached the attention she received as a female. Reed noted that she never felt out of place or unwelcomed in Local 50, and the trainers in the apprenticeship program created an environment for her to excel.

Increasing the number of women in the trades is a significant part of the NABTU’s national organizing initiatives. Reed discussed how the Trades Women Build Nations Conferences have fostered a sense of belonging for women in the trades. Reed then discussed the way Local 50 helped her succeed in a well-paying career, but also empowered her to let her voice be heard. Finally, she discussed her plans to help bring more women into the trades. 

Learn more about Reed’s journey by listening to the show above.