Project Manager Cindy Payne, from Washington Women in Trades (WWIT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and gave an overview of the organization and what they do.
Washington Women in Trades was founded in 1979 as a support organization for women in the construction, manufacturing and transportation sectors. At the time, WWIT shared information with other tradeswomen. Whether a current tradeswoman, a woman who is considering joining the trades, a prospective employer who wants to hire tradeswomen or a government agency, Washington Women in Trades now facilitates connections to industry experts for these groups and more, she said.
Payne explained the organization encourages networking, whether with other tradeswomen or prospective employers. Its goal is to make it easier for women in the trades to connect and grow. They have also helped establish scholarships for young women to advance into higher-paying careers. With counseling services also available, the Washington Women in Trades believes tradeswomen should not struggle alone but receive help.
While the number of tradeswomen has increased over the years, she believes there is more work to be done. Through educational opportunities at high schools, community events and conferences, WWIT shows women the benefits of non-traditional career pathways into the workforce. These opportunities will help women attain and retain high-wage, high-skilled careers, she added.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.