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Renee Jones’ career path has taken her from social services to the electrical trade and back to community work, now as the director of programs at Chicago Women in Trades. Her unique perspective bridges different worlds, making her a powerful advocate for women seeking economic independence through careers in the construction industry.

Q: How did you come to work in the trades? 

I graduated from college in the ’80s and started working in social services. I wanted to make an impact in my community, so I joined Bethel New Life as a community development specialist. One weekend, we volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. I spent that Saturday helping with construction in one of the homes, working alongside electricians who taught me the basics, like pulling wires, connecting them to devices, and putting wire nuts on.

The electricians noticed my aptitude and suggested I consider becoming an electrician. Initially, I thought, “I’m a college graduate. I don’t need to do construction.” But I enjoyed the work, and when they told me how much they earned compared to my salary (while I still had student loans), it made me reconsider my options. They mentioned that training was free, which was appealing.

Two years later, after having my first child and taking time off, a friend told me about a pre-apprenticeship program. I enrolled at Midwest Women’s Center, similar to CWIT, and expressed interest in becoming an electrician based on my Habitat experience. After completing the program, I briefly worked for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad while waiting for the electrician apprenticeship to open. When it did, I left immediately—even though I had an opportunity to move into a management role at the railroad company.

Q: What was your experience like as an electrician?

I worked as an electrician for 16 years until the recession hit in 2008. I advanced in the field and eventually became a foreman on job sites. I truly enjoyed working with my hands and was proud of my accomplishments. But with one son in high school and another entering college, I couldn’t manage with inconsistent work. By 2011, I had to make a change to keep my house and support my family. It was difficult, but I needed stable employment to meet my family’s needs.

Q: How did you find out about Chicago Women in Trades?

After leaving the electrical trade, I became a case manager working with people with developmental disabilities and mental health issues. I eventually worked my way up to managing two departments.

When I first returned to professional work, I wondered why I had “detoured” into the trades. When applying for jobs, I would downplay my experience as an electrician and emphasize my earlier professional experience. I couldn’t figure out how to incorporate my trade experience into my professional narrative.

But when I applied for my current position at Chicago Women in Trades, everything finally aligned. For the first time, I could discuss my entire resume—being a GED instructor, working with people with mental health and developmental disabilities, and my experience as a tradeswoman. During the interview, I felt that all aspects of my background fit perfectly with this role.

Q: What’s most rewarding about your work?

I’m passionate about this work partly because it reflects my own journey but, more importantly, because I see the impact it has on families when women gain earning power. It empowers women to leave unhealthy situations. And women typically invest money in their families, which benefits entire communities. When we take someone from a disadvantaged community, give them trade skills, and they progress from apprentice to journey worker, they earn good wages throughout that process. They can provide food, clothing, and shelter for their children and build better lives. Some become homeowners—one woman who graduated just a couple of years ago now owns a three-unit apartment building. These opportunities change the entire trajectory of people’s lives.

I get goosebumps when people are accepted into the trades or pass a test. Even when they pass a math test in our class, I’m thrilled to see them transition from “I can’t” to “I can.” I felt that same joy when teaching GED classes and watching students master concepts they thought were beyond them.

When women develop skills to become electricians, carpenters, plumbers, pipefitters, welders, or any skilled trade, they build confidence. That confidence makes them better people, better mothers, better friends, and better partners. Seeing that transformation and hearing how their lives improve is incredibly rewarding.

When I worked in the trades, I earned enough to buy a house and despite occasional overtime, I was present for my children. Now, I see other women doing the same—earning good wages while maintaining a work-life balance.

Q: What should people know about Chicago Women in Trades?

We have a wonderful staff who share the same passion for this mission. It feels good knowing that we have employed people who understand what Chicago Women in Trades stands for and have fully bought into it. They celebrate with our students just as I do—crying, laughing, and jumping for joy when someone gets accepted into a program.

It’s not just me—we all share that commitment. Everyone cares deeply and works together to find solutions. When our students succeed, it touches all of our lives. I am proud of what we are accomplishing. I hope they know how much they’ve impacted us too.

RH Simpson, a century-old ornamental and miscellaneous metals fabricator in Elmhurst, Illinois, has been working with Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) to provide hands-on welding experience for students in the Women in Welding program. The partnership showcases how industry veterans can help create new opportunities in the construction trades. Kristopher Haas, the president of RH Simpson, talks about the collaboration with CWIT.

Q: How did RH Simpson come to partner with Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT)?

“We connected to CWIT through Power Construction, a company we’ve worked with for over 40 years. About two years ago, they introduced me to Renee Jones at CWIT. After my initial visit, we arranged a tour of our fabrication shop in Elmhurst with one of their welding classes. Since then, we’ve hosted the class seven times.

We decided to get involved because we’ve been part of Chicago’s construction industry for over 100 years, and I saw CWIT as an organization we could meaningfully support. I’ve been in this industry since I was 16, and I’m passionate about seeing positive change. Personally, as a husband to an amazing wife who loves carpentry, a father to three daughters, and a brother to three awesome sisters, I want to support organizations that empower women to build careers and pursue their dreams—no matter the industry.”

Q: What inspired the field trips and hands-on training for the Women in Welding program?

“This is a very valuable part of the CWIT training program. Welding spans many industries, and even in construction, we have both fabrication and installation sides with different techniques and work environments. We provide an introduction to ornamental and miscellaneous metal fabrication.

During visits, students are immersed in a working shop environment—it’s loud, with welding arcs flashing, grinding sparks flying, and materials being moved around them. About 60% of our team provides instruction while others continue normal operations. Students work on actual projects in production and develop skills beyond just welding. They experience what it’s really like to be part of a fabrication team, which is completely different from field installation work, where conditions are less controlled and equipment more portable.

Students get to try everything: tig-welding delicate pieces, cutting metal with oxy-fuel torches, operating punching and shearing equipment, and finishing work through grinding and polishing—all skills our best fabricators need to master. This hands-on variety gives them a realistic picture of daily shop life beyond classroom training. And there’s always excitement when they try carbon-arc gouging!”