Trades Programs In New York Are Looking For More Women

Chris Burgio teaches high school students about trades at the Erie 1 BOCES Harkness Career and Technical Education Center in Cheektowaga.

"I’ve been here almost 20 years now and as time goes by, I see the need for women,  said Burgio. I think they’re more prone to detail and taking their time, where the guys like to pound things together," said Burgio.

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WKBW-TV reports that this need for women in the trades is statewide. The North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC) is working to change things. They run a pre-apprenticeship program throughout the state.

"We’ve been running this since 2015 and we’ve brought in more than 100 women into the program," said Melissa Clark, Marketing Manager.

It’s a four-week program in July that acts as a trial period to see if carpentry is for you and it’s completely free.

"Once they successfully complete the four-week program they have an opportunity to enter into the five-level apprenticeship program," said Clark.

This program is for women 18 and older.

Opportunities are endless, according to Burgio, who says contractors reach out looking for young people to enter the trades.

Program leaders said most women are not aware that these opportunities are out there.

To sign up for an information session on the NASRCC's pre-apprenticeship program, click here.

For more information about the Building Trades program at Erie 1 BOCES, click here.