“Women in the Trades” Pre-Apprentices Celebrate Graduation from Union Construction Academy

PHOTO: Pre-apprentice graduate from the UCA"s pre-apprenticeship program.

The Maine AFL-CIO's Union Construction Academy (UCA) celebrated the graduation of nine pre-apprentices in our first “Women in the Trades” cohort last month at IBEW 1253 in Newport. Women still make up only 15 percent of the construction workforce in Maine, and the Unions that contributed to our training are making recruitment and support for women a priority – not only because they believe in providing great opportunities to more workers, but also because they recognize the talent and capacity that women can add to their ranks as they work to increase market share.

Over the course of the three and a half week intensive training program, our pre-apprentices completed certifications in OSHA-10, First-Aid/CPR, Hotworks, Scaffolding User, Exothermic Welding, and Flagging. Working with instructors from the New England Laborers Training Academy, they poured and demolished concrete, erected scaffolding, practiced construction math, and shot line and grade to plan a sidewalk.

IBEW 1253 JATC Director George Howe spent several days introducing key concepts and a range of skills that they would learn as first-year apprentice electricians, while IBEW 1253 Outreach and Pre-Apprenticeship Coordinator Cara Flannery guided them through first-aid training and conversations about how to maintain their health and well-being as women and non-binary people on construction sites.

Mike Hopkins of Ironworkers Local 7 led them through several days of training in welding, cutting, and burning at their hall in Clinton. On the last day of the program, they heard from Alana Schaeffer, President of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Metal Trades Council, about her experiences as a single mom of two coming up through the ranks at Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 788.

A great crowd of family, friends, dignitaries, and Union members gathered to recognize the accomplishments of our pre-apprentices – including more than a few women who were themselves pioneers in their respective fields. Maine AFL-CIO President Cynthia spoke about her own experiences as a woman coming up through the ranks as a member of IBEW 1837, the rewards that come from learning a trade, and the pride of Union membership.

Department of Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman emphasized the importance of bringing more women into the trades to help us upgrade our infrastructure and address critical workforce shortages. Program graduates Brandi McNease, Tanika Ramsdell, and MacKenzie Robinson all spoke about how much they had gained from the program, and how grateful they were to have an opportunity to learn alongside other women in central Maine.

Since completing the program, several graduates have already entered apprenticeships with Laborers Local 327 and Ironworkers Local 7. Others are slated to take aptitude tests for IBEW 1253 later this fall. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the months and years ahead as they move through their apprenticeships into great Union careers in the trades!