This program trains women for jobs in the construction trades, where a union position with benefits, earns, on average, almost five times their pre-training salaries. Training comprises a one-week orientation followed by three weeks of class, including intensive math review, worker safety and health and weight lifting. Participants also attend three weeks of shop, including basic tool use, electrical circuitry, voltage detection, pipe fitting and tubing and drywall finishing.
Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) was founded in 1978 in response to the affirmative action policies of the Carter administration, which opened up many skilled labor jobs to women. It soon became apparent, however, that these women needed training as well as equal opportunity. To help women develop the special skills and physical strength required to compete with male counterparts, NEW developed into a full-service construction trades training program. In addition to classes, it offers referrals for counseling, child care, health, housing and jobs.NEW’s mission is twofold: to increase the number of women in the construction trades and to make the public aware that construction is a viable, successful career for females. Currently, women constitute less than 25 percent of the workforce in nontraditional occupations and account for 2 percent of union members in the construction trades. Graduates are virtually guaranteed an immediate 50 percent jump in income as well as the chance to double their salaries within four years.
NEW also helps its participants resolve challenges such as unsupportive unions, unsafe or hostile work environments or networking obstacles that arise due to sexism. Its advocacy efforts are critical: more than in other fields, women often abandon the job due to discomfort and harassment rather than being terminated for poor attitude or incompetence.
NEW’s Blue Collar Prep class is a six-week full-time program geared towards giving women a well-rounded introduction to the building trades and hands-on experience with tools and building materials. NEW at Night targets women who are not able to attend the day program due to work schedules in menial jobs, family obligations or funding limitations that make low-income working women ineligible for the day initiative.
NEW is featured on Sirius Satellite Radio’s Robin Hood Stories. To hear this or other Robin Hood Stories, visit www.sirius.com/robinhood.
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