What We Do
We offer intensive customized technical assistance for industry stakeholders, with an aim to:
- Increase the number of women in apprenticeships and skilled trades jobs in construction, manufacturing, transit, and utilities industries.
- Promote safe and respectful work environments through training that aligns with federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws and regulations.
- Develop and implement plans for maximizing women’s entry and retention in apprenticeships and skilled trades.
- Increase leadership development opportunities for tradeswomen and build the capacity of current and emerging tradeswomen’s groups.
Who We Support
We help people who want to improve their outreach, recruitment, assessment, training, and retention practices to support women in the skilled trades:
- Pre-apprenticeship programs
- Registered apprenticeship programs
- Unions
- Job training programs
- Contractors/subcontractors
- Employers
- Workforce development boards
- Emerging tradeswomen’s groups
- Local/state/federal agencies
- Career and technical education program developers
Construction Employers
Our customized training and resources will help you build equitable and inclusive job sites that attract and retain top talent, strengthening your workforce and your bottom line.
RAPs (Registered Apprenticeship Programs) and Unions
We create pathways that prepare and support tradeswomen to succeed and stay on their tools, while training RAPs and unions to establish pathways for tradeswomen’s leadership development.
Tradeswomen
We help women enter, succeed and lead in their fields by partnering with tradeswomen and their allies nationwide to open doors, strengthen support systems, and create lasting change.
Why it Matters
Women currently represent only 4.3% of the skilled construction trades workforce in the United States.
This data shows that resource sharing, training, strong policies and practices, and accountability measures are needed to ensure that not only women but all workers in the skilled trades can thrive in safe and respectful work environments. By addressing systemic barriers, fostering sustainable workforce practices, and implementing effective strategies, CWIT’s Equity Resource Center aims to help industry stakeholders create lasting opportunities for women in the skilled trades.
Held to a different standard
Of 2,635 tradeswomen and nonbinary tradespeople surveyed in 2021, nearly 48% reported that they are held to a different standard than their male co-workers and face discrimination.
Harassment and discrimination
In a 2022 study of women working in manufacturing, 90% of women stated that they experienced forms of discrimination or harassment during the last five years.
Contact us to learn more about our available resources and how we can collaborate.
Centering Equity in Workforce Development
Statement in Response to EEOC’s Rescission of Workplace Harassment Guidance
