Women’s Resource Center Encourages Women to Explore the Skilled Trades with a “Women in the Trades” Webinar

(Sarasota-Manatee) Changing perceptions regarding gender roles, combined with the pandemic’s disruption of the service sector, has put a spotlight on career opportunities available for women in the skilled trades. Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is hosting a free webinar, “Women in the Trades,” to encourage more women to explore such high-demand occupations as plumbers, electricians, mechanics, and machinists. Typical entry level wages for these jobs are $13 to $15 per hour with rapid wage increases possible, often in the six-figure range. The webinar will offer detailed information about free training programs for these occupations that are available through private grants and the federal CARES Act. This informational webinar is Wednesday, September 23, noon-1 p.m. To register, go to www.mywrc.org/womenintrades or call (941) 256-9721. Participants can attend by phone or computer to learn more. 

Guest speakers for the “Women in the Trades” virtual info session include representatives from Suncoast Technical College and CareerEdge who will share details about fully funded training programs available through private grants and the federal CARES Act. Women working in the trades will explain their personal career pathways, and local employer Air and Energy will be on hand to talk about the value of recruiting more women for these fields.

“I am always surprised more women haven’t pursued the skilled trades given they can provide amazing career opportunities,” says Trudy Moon, owner of Air and Energy, a family-owned Manatee County business. 

WRC also offers free individual career coaching. To learn more about this Career Connections information session or other services available at WRC, please call 941-256-9721 or visit mywrc.org.