The launch of Bridging Outstanding Opportunities with Tradeswoman Skills (BOOTS) Pre-Apprenticeship program in Washington came to a close this month with a graduation ceremony at our training center in Kent. The four-week program introduced six women to the construction trade, equipping them with hands-on skills ranging from residential and commercial framing to concrete form and footings, and other skills such as math and OSHA-10 training.
Offering a space for women to build community while they build trade skills is crucial for the participants who are about to enter a male-dominated field.
“I would recommend this program to others. It lets us all get together as women and be able to ask questions that some women might be fearful to ask when they’re learning how to work in the construction industry . . . we’re all able to learn from like-minded people coming from all walks of life.” said BOOTS graduate Rebel Faalelea.
Only 7% of carpenters in the state of Washington are women. With the BOOTS program concluding with an 85% success rate, it’s safe to say that more women are interested and motivated to pursue successful Union Carpenter careers.