The Groundbreaking Generation: Connecticut's First Women in the Trades

NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD: A documentary about several Connecticut women experiences working in the trades during the 1970s and the 1980s.

http://www.blip.tv/file/4162573/

For more info about obtaining a copy of The Groundbreaking Generation: Connecticut's First Women in the Trades, email ubcsisters@aol.com.

Produced and Directed by Magaret Conable, New England Regional Council Carpenter

The only woman in the carpentry class -CANADA

Last updated at 10:44 PM on 29/01/10 Trish MacKay of Stewiacke, N.S., is the only female in her carpentry class at Holland College in Slemon Park. The Province is trying to attract more women to trades programs with a project called Trade HERizons, which will provide training for 36 women over three years. Stephen Brun/Journal Pioneer Women have a future in the trades Trade HERizons STEPHEN BRUN The Journal Pioneer SUMMERSIDE - Trish MacKay isn't intimidated by being the only woman among 34 men. But her carpentry class isn't the only program at Holland College's Slemon Park campus with the same male-female ratio. There are fewer than five women currently enroled in trades programs at the school. Although the numbers aren't changing dramatically, MacKay said the attitude toward women in the program couldn't be better. "Everyone treats me the same as anyone else," she said. "I knew what I was getting into and I know there's a lot of heavy lifting but I try to do my best. I haven't come to an obstacle that I haven't been able to overcome yet." The Province recently announced a pilot program aimed at recruiting more women into traditional trades. Trade HERizons will provide training for 36 women over three years. Participants will complete a 14-week college readiness program from February to May before entering the course of their choice in the fall. Kent Sheen, manager of trades programs at Slemon Park, said the public may not realize how employers' outlook has changed when it comes to hiring women. "There may be a mental picture of what trades jobs are among the general public and that may be more of an historical picture. That might contribute to women not going into some of these jobs," said Sheen. "We'd like to help clear away that perspective. These are well-paying jobs and they're much different than they used to be." Sheen said trade jobs have changed to become more safe and ergonomic, so strain on workers is reduced. Heather Nippard of Labrador is also the lone female in her electrical technology class. She came to the school to join the varsity golf team, but found herself enjoying her program. "I didn't see myself doing this as a career at all, but now I'm really glad I picked it," she said. "(Employers) seem more willing now to overlook the fact that you're a woman in the trade." But if employers are only hesitant to hire women because of their gender, they'll need to adapt to the times or be out of luck for future employees. "Every now and then one of our students goes out and applies for a job and isn't considered as readily equal as a man," said Sheen. "In those cases, if they didn't find employment there, that's probably a good thing." sbrun@journalpioneer.com http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=322684&sc=118

Carpenters Recruit Apprentices -ROCK TAVERN, NY

• Carpenters Recruit Apprentices
• by New York State Department of Labor
• 
  

ROCK TAVERN, NY (12/01/2009)(readMedia)-- The Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee Local Union #19 will conduct a recruitment from December 1, 2009 through November 30, 2010 for five carpenter apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today.

Applications must apply in person at Local Union #19, 52 Stone Castle Road, Rock Tavern, NY, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period.

The Committee requires that applicants:

• Be at least 17 years old.
• Be a high school graduate or have a general equivalency diploma (G.E.D.) as recognized by local school authorities-transcript required from the school.
• Be physically able to perform the work required as determined by the Carpenters Apprenticeship School.
• Must be a resident of Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan or Ulster counties for at least six months and provide proof of residency.
• Must have reliable transportation to and from various job sites and Joint Apprentice Committee School.
• Must take an employment drug test at an approved facility at the committee's expense.
• Be willing to join the union and sign and comply with an indenture agreement if accepted for the program.
• Must take Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee Entry Math Test.

For further information, applicants should contact their nearest New York State Department of Labor office or may contact the Local Union #19 at 845-567-1810.

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

####

http://readme.readmedia.com/Carpenters-Recruit-Apprentices/989703

Carpenters Union builds $15M training center in PA

Carpenters Union builds $15M training center along Airport corridor

The Greater PA Regional Council of Carpenters--the Carpenter Union--has invested $15 million of private funding into the future of itself and of building in the region.

"The construction industry is constantly changing its technology and building practices, and if we don't stay on the cutting edge of the changes, we'll fall behind the curve. We look at this new Training Center as our future," says Lou Gilberti with the union. "There are two ways to do business. You can either control or compete. As carpenters, we don't control, so we have to compete. And the only way to stay competitive is to train people in the best skills and attitudes."

The new center was built specifically for training carpenters. Currently, the union operates a training facility in the former high school on Neville Island. When the union realized it needed a bigger and better space, Gilberti says it decided to invest in constructing a new center from the ground-up on two acres next to its 42,000-square-foot headquarters off Route 22/30 near the new Settlers Ridge shopping center.

The union broke ground in September 2008, is finishing up construction now, and expects the facility to be fully occupied the second week of January.

The 93,000-square-foot, two-story space was is used for various fields of carpentry training, including commercial, residential, heavy highway, floor covering and cabinet making. It includes vehicular access on both floors and all-glass garage doors that let in tons of natural light. The first floor ceilings are about 22 feet high, and the second floor are about 32 feet.

"We have the capacity to build a two-story house inside the Training Center," says Gilberti.

The Training Center was designed by Astorino, and Mosites Construction Company served as general contractor.

The Carpenter Union currently has about 915 apprentices and 20 full-time instructors. Its graduation rate is more than 85 percent, which Gilberti says is higher than the national average.

Writer: Caralyn Green
Source: Lou Gilberti, council representative, Greater PA Regional Council of Carpenters

http://www.popcitymedia.com/devnews/carpenterunion111809.aspx

Women hammer out success in construction

Small numbers result in need for mutual support

By Janice Denham
Monday, April 13, 2009 11:18 AM CDT

Janice Denham Journal / Journeyman Sharon Sitler of Jennings, left, and apprentice Meghan McKenzie of Clayton get information and practice at the St. Louis Carpenters' Joint Apprenticeship Program in Affton.

In the construction trades, only 1 percent of the workforce in Missouri consists of women. Teresa Willis, director of Missouri Women in Trades, points to that as a challenge for her group to become known among women who might choose a career as carpenter, electrician, welder or paperhanger.

The group can provide camaraderie for those working in such trades.

"Women don't see each other when they are working out there," Willis said. "It's nice to come together with other women experiencing the same things you are going through."

Even in a tight construction market, the group raises awareness that women can do these jobs, and there is opportunity in this industry which allows a woman to be paid well and raise a family.

Willis said the industry only stands to gain from increasing the number of women in the field, as it needs to focus more on women as a minority in the trades. Expectation is the workforce will need an infusion as baby boomers retire and traditional labor pools become harder to tap.


"An organization like ours, in an industry where it has mainly men, has value in that we can help them learn what the issues are that women face," Willis said.

Path to building

A woman already working may not arrive carrying her dad's - or even less likely, her mom's - hammer.

Lynda Mueller Drendel is the only woman of 15 full-time instructors in the St. Louis Carpenters' Joint Apprenticeship Training Program in Affton. With a college degree in social work, she was a non-union carpenter for eight years in New Orleans. Joining the union after working in St. Louis gives her a double perspective.

Janice Denham Journal / Lynda Mueller Drendel of south St. Louis, instructor in the Carpenters' Joint Apprenticeship Program, works with Steve Newland of Sedalia.

Equally at home wearing a hard hat or grading tests on OSHA requirements, she said the pay and benefits of health insurance and pension make the union attractive.

"The work is psychologically and physically challenging," Drendel said. "Union training makes the job definitely safer for both men and women."

Although women working in a predominantly male environment may feel isolated at times, she sees them gain confidence while on the job.

When Drendel started teaching, she found her attitude of impressing girls with a spirit that women can achieve anything needed an update.

"Women of today, just like my 11-year-old daughter, already know that," Drendel said. "Stereotypes have changed."

She and her husband, Bill, and their daughter, Anna, live in south St. Louis.

"There is no difference in the teaching," Drendel said. "Every carpenter has to find your strengths. Mine is trim (work), which I also teach."

Accommodation with a sense of humor helps both sides, too. A 25-pound tool belt can bruise narrow hips, but everyone learns the value of steel-toed work boots, earplugs, hard hat and gloves.

Years to prepare

To become a carpenter apprentice, a union contractor must sponsor an applicant. Four years on the job later, with a return to the training facility two weeks every six months, the apprentice becomes a journeyman.

Meghan McKenzie of Clayton has been an apprentice for about a year. After working as a manager in work camps for Campus Crusade for Christ, including relief after Hurricane Katrina, she came to Tarlton Corp. with a bachelor's degree in engineering science from Purdue University.

Fellow employees encouraged her to diversify from her position as project engineer. Whether welding, helping drive piles or learning scaffolding, McKenzie has gained new perspective on what she has designed.

"I kind of like to be in the midst of what is going on rather than in an office," McKenzie said.

Drendel, one of her teachers, hopes women tradesmen such as McKenzie will tap into Missouri Women in Trades to find the support they need to do their jobs better.

Tool turnaround constructs benefits for women in trades

Tools, even old ones, can encourage women to become new carpenters, plumbers, painters and other construction workers.

Missouri Women in Trades (MOWIT) will sell new and used tools and

construction equipment at a Tool Turnaround Saturday, April 25, at 8300 Manchester Road in Brentwood. A $10 donation allows early birds to check the supply from 7 to 9 a.m. before the sale opens to the public at 9 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m.

Besides the rain-or-shine sale, free activities for all ages include tradeswoman challenges and information about careers for women in the construction trades. A silent auction of handcrafted arts and crafts "? including shelves, tables, plant stands and stained glass windows "? made by tradeswomen will be offered.

Tools still can be donated for the sale. Collection sites are listed on the website http://www.mowit.org/.

Proceeds provide learning experiences for groups of girls, such as the Girl Scouts and students in technical schools, and career counseling for interested girls and women, plus support groups for women in the trades. MOWIT will offer a week-long day camp from July 13 through 17 for girls entering grades 10 through 12.


http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/articles/2009/04/13/west/news//0415ssj-toolturnaround01.txt

Carpenters Recruit Apprentices, Local 289-CHEEKTOWAGA, NY

News from New York State Department of Labor

For more information contact: Tracy Falasco, 518-457-9000

Carpenters Recruit Apprentices

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY (03/04/2009; 1138)(readMedia)-- The Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Local 289, will conduct recruitment from March 3, 2009 through March 2, 2010 for 10 carpenter apprentices, the State Labor Department announced today.

Applications will be available at the Local, (Zone A - 1159 Maryvale Drive, Cheektowaga) and (Zone B - Trott Access Center, Worksource One Center, Portage Road & 11th Street, Niagara Falls) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the first Tuesday of each month during the recruitment period.

The committee requires that applicants:

Be at least 18 years old - proof required at time of employment by signed statement submitted at time of application.
Have a high school or general equivalency diploma as recognized by the New York State Department of Education - proof required at time of employment by signed statement submitted at time of application.
Sign an affidavit stating they are physically able to do the work.
Have lived within the local's geographic jurisdiction for at least six months prior to the date of application - (Zone A - Erie County and Zone B - Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties.
Must take a drug test at the sponsor's expense given at time of employment.
Must have reliable transportation to and from work and school by a signed statement submitted at time of application.
Must be willing to attend school in Rochester.
Each eligible applicant will have to participate in an interview.
For further information, applicants should contact the New York State Department of Labor office located nearest their home or the sponsor at 716-632-3080.

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.