News
November 2, 2022Women Pursuing Careers in Construction at Capital Region BOCES
The national Women in the Trades initiative, designed to increase the number of women in the skilled trades, is showing promise among this year’s new class of juniors now attending Capital Region BOCES’ Career & Technical Center programs.
Several young women enrolled in the Electrical Trades, Automotive, Construction/Heavy Equipment, Manufacturing and other programs this school year say they are enjoying challenging perceptions by pursuing nontraditional careers they are passionate about.
Many of them are planning for careers in the construction industry.
Seven young women are now enrolled in the Construction/Heavy Equipment program and two are enrolled in the Electrical Trades program on the Schoharie Campus.
“It’s been a very big passion of mine. My grandfather has his own business, and I would like to go into the family business or perhaps go to National Grid,” said Alicia Gray, a junior from Cobleskill-Richmondville High School who is attending the Electrical Trades program.
For many of the students, enrolling in the programs is about building a solid foundation for a rewarding career—no matter the stereotype assigned to those careers.
“When I tell people about the program I am in, they say, ‘Oh, really?’ and I am, like, ‘Yeah, it’s what I do!’” said Brianna Diamond, a junior in the Construction/Heavy Equipment program from Middleburgh. “I think it is a fun industry and I like to make things. I think it would be a great career.”
Currently, just 10.9 percent of the construction industry’s workforce identify as women and an even smaller percentage of women–just 1%–are on the front lines of a job site, according to a 2022 article published by BizRent.com.
But, these facts haven’t deterred Capital Region BOCES students interested in building careers in those industries. In fact, you could say they have put “a charge” in their learning.
“I grew up watching my family doing little projects. I watched everything they did and learned everything I could,” said Katelyn Griffin, a junior from Schalmont attending the Electrical Trades program. “I want to own a woman-based business. People say they feel more comfortable with a woman in their house doing work than a man, so I think it would make me more marketable.”
“I grew up riding on the equipment and my father is in the industry and he wants to get me into the union when I graduate,” added Katelynt, a junior who is attending the Construction/Heavy Equipment program. “This is the only program I had an interest in.”
Capital Region BOCES Senior Business Liaison Nancy Liddle said she is proud of the work of the students.
“We are proud to help such trailblazers achieve their dreams as they enter the trades in non-traditional career paths,” she said.
Capital Region BOCES’ Career & Technical Education has long offered such opportunities for all students in the field of construction and many others. Learn more about these programs at https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/
