Voice From The Field: Sensei Stacy Fouse
What is your name and occupation? I am Sensei Stacy Fouse, and I teach martial arts at The OHANA Self-Defense Institute. I teach the Kinder Warriors program—which is the three to six-year-olds—as well as karate. We teach traditional martial arts and take pride in being family-oriented. What were you doing before teaching martial arts? I’ve […]
West Virginia Women Work Awarded 2025 American Water Charitable Foundation Workforce Readiness Grant
[Dunbar, WV] –June 25, 2025 –West Virginia Women Work announced today it was awarded a 2025 American Water Charitable Foundation Workforce Readiness grant, focusing on general career readiness, financial and business literacy, positive youth development and life skills training. The grant will support West Virginia Women Work’s Step Up for Women Construction program at the […]
What 12 Weeks Can Really Do: Inside Our Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Twelve weeks may not seem like much, but for many of our students, it is enough time to transform their future. At WV Women Work, our pre-apprenticeship program is designed to prepare people for skilled trades careers by combining hands-on training, classroom learning, and real-world exposure. Whether someone is just getting started or changing careers, […]
What Employers Look For and How We Help You Get There
When you are applying for a job, especially in the skilled trades, most people focus on learning the technical skills. And that is important. Knowing how to use tools, follow blueprints, and stay safe on the jobsite matters. But ask almost any employer what they are really looking for, and they will often tell you […]
Introvert-Friendly Skilled Trades Careers
Not everyone dreams of a fast-paced job filled with team huddles, constant collaboration, and group projects. Some people thrive in quieter environments where focus, precision, and independence matter more than small talk. If that sounds like you, the skilled trades may offer more options than you think. While many trades do involve teamwork and communication, […]
Careers That Use Trade Skills Without the Heavy Lifting
When most people think of a skilled trades career, they picture someone swinging a hammer, climbing scaffolding, or hauling lumber across a jobsite. And while those roles are essential and rewarding, they aren’t the only option. The truth is, many high-paying, in-demand jobs in the trades don’t require heavy lifting, long days in the sun, […]
Voice From The Field: Ashlee Edwards
What is your name and occupation? My name is Ashlee Edwards, and I am a Digital Strategist working in news. What education and career path led you to become a Digital Strategist? To start, I had no intention of working in news. I went to school at the International Academy of Design and Technology in […]
Voice From The Field: Noelle Linda Kolb
What is your name and occupation? Noelle Linda Kolb. I am the owner of Assumption Records in Rivesville, WV. Can you tell me about the personal journey that led to owning a record store? I started my professional life as a pharmacy tech. That was my job for many years until our daughter Windy was […]
Why Pre-Apprenticeship Works: From Hesitation to Confidence in 12 Weeks
Confidence doesn’t come from wishing things were different. It comes from doing something you didn’t think you could do, and proving to yourself that you can. Many of the students who walk through our doors don’t see themselves as “hands-on” workers. Some have never picked up a power tool. Some haven’t worked in years. Others […]
Start Strong, Stay Strong: What Pre-Apprenticeship Really Teaches
Everyone talks about getting people into apprenticeships. But what happens before that? What prepares someone to succeed once they’re there? Pre-apprenticeship is often misunderstood as basic training, but it’s so much more than that. At WVWW, we prepare students to succeed not just in the classroom, but in the real world. We teach things that […]
