Exploring Skilled Trade Careers For Women

Over the past several years, we have seen a rise in women interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades. This is an exciting time because historically, the skilled trades have been dominated by men. While we are seeing an influx of women in a number of trades, they are very much underrepresented in the industry as a whole.

We hope to see more and more opportunities open for women in the trades but we know that providing resources and education is an important part of seeing this happen. And that’s one of the things we hope to accomplish in this post.

This post (and many more to come) aims to be a resource for women interested in getting into the trades. 

What trades are best for women?

This is a common question we often hear from parents, guidance counselors, and even women looking to get into the trades. While we wish that it was as simple as answering this single question, the process of choosing the best trade will require a little more reflection.

We want to reshape that question about what trades are best for women. It’s not about what trades are best for women, but rather what trade is best for you. Every person has their own set of strengths and weaknesses which means that not every career path in the skilled trades is going to be a good fit for everyone. You have to assess different internal and external factors to make an informed decision. We talk about it briefly, but if you want some additional guidance on how to know if the skilled trades are right for you, check out this blog post.

It all starts with understanding what trade careers are available. Here is a list of just a few of your many career options:

• Carpenter
• Electrician
• Welder
• HVAC Technician
• Pipefitter
• Boilermaker

So many more!

Reflect on yourself and what would make you a good fit for a certain career. Do you have a steady hand and can focus for long periods of time? You could consider welding.

Are you small and nimble? You could be a valuable asset to an HVAC company by maneuvering into small crawl spaces.

Do you have an eye for detail and enjoy creating something from nothing? You could consider carpentry work.

The key is to do your research. Make sure you are up to date on all of the latest information about skilled trade careers, demand, and career outlook.

You should also know about the educational options for getting into skilled trades. In the case that you do not know anything about the educational options for getting into skilled trades, we will explore that more in-depth.

Educational Options for women looking to get into skilled trades

There are a few educational options for people who want to get into the skilled trades. Your options include trade school, vocational school, community college, and apprenticeship programs.

But how long does it take to go through trade school? What about community college?

There are some basics that you need to know about the different educational options for going into the skilled trades. Vocational schools, trade schools, and community colleges offer programs that vary in length and depth of training that you receive. All of the options are only a couple years long, which is faster than attending a four-year school.

Another option for getting into the skilled trades is through an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship programs like the UA Local 486 Apprenticeship will pay you while you learn a trade and develop the skills to have a fulfilling career. Apprenticeship programs give you the opportunity to not only enter the workforce earlier than those attending 4-year institutions but also the opportunity to start earning money before officially entering the trades as a trained professional.

One of the most important aspects for most women is finding a community. We are proud of how the community for women at our UA Local Apprenticeship training school has begun to develop. There are also online communities and forums where users can ask questions and connect with other women in the skilled trades. Having a supportive community is key, especially when women are underrepresented in the skilled trades.

Ok, so you know your options for education when it comes to getting into the skilled trades, and also a few of your career options. But what do you do now? What are your next steps?

Take Your Next Step!

We want to emphasize that research is extremely important. Continue researching skilled trades until you find something you would be interested in.

The next steps for you will depend on your preferences and situation. You can consider joining a trade school or apprenticeship program, like the UA Local 486 Apprenticeship. Both trade school and apprenticeships have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages, but one could be the perfect fit for you! Choosing the right path depends on things like your goals, skills, and interests.

Connect with other women who are in the trades! As we mentioned before, connecting with other women who are working in the trades will help create a supportive community and make things easier.