More women are choosing to enter the male-dominated construction industry in New York City, and Nontraditional Employment for Women is helping to provide the tools, according to newyork.cbslocal.com.
The Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York City reports that women make up just 4 percent of the construction unions workforce.
"Work needs to be done to continue to get the word out to women and young girls that yes, you can do this, this is a career for you," says Kathleen Culhane, president of NEW.
NEW offers a two-month pre-apprenticeship training program for women of New York City, many of the women who partipate are unemployed or underemployed women of color.
Tanay Matthews of Brooklyn, who works construction with Local 361, says she typically is the only woman on the job site.
"I love it, honestly," Matthews says. "It's tough, it's physically draining, but every day I wake up and I give it my all."
Obtaining a spot in a union apprenticeship just became more likely for the women who participate in NEW. Since 2005, 10 percent of union apprenticeships were set aside for NEW graduates; now, 15 percent of apprenticeships will be set aside, increasing the total number from 150 to about 225.
"Really amazing for the women of New York City," Culhane says.
Union construction jobs can offer excellent benefits and room for career growth.
Tshura Williams, a NEW program participant, says: "My last job I worked at the World Trade Center and I've seen all these women—construction women—walking back and forth and they have like this pride on their face, and I wanted that for myself."
