Sara Jo Loudin arrived in Morgantown with a suitcase full of clothes and no clear plan. Today, she’s an apprentice carpenter working bridge construction. Her path wasn’t straightforward. Before joining West Virginia Women Work’s Step Up for Women Construction Pre-apprenticeship, Sara Jo was navigating pending felony charges and living in
Every strong workforce has something in common: people who are willing to learn, show up, and put in the work. During National Apprenticeship Week, it’s worth taking a moment to recognize the individuals doing exactly that. Apprentices across the country are building skills, gaining experience, and laying the foundation for
Thinking about applying for a skilled trades training program but not sure if it is the right fit? That pause is a good thing. Skilled trades offer hands-on work, steady demand, and clear career paths. They also require commitment, structure, and a willingness to learn. Asking the right questions before
What is your name and occupation? My name is Samantha Downey, and I’m an apprentice bricklayer. What were you doing before you became a bricklayer? I had a few factory jobs, but there was a period of about three years when I wasn’t working—right before my daughter was born and
Students at the Dunbar location of West Virginia Women Work’s Step Up for Women Construction Pre-Apprenticeship recently combined precision and creativity in a hands-on classroom project. Using scrap lumber, students measured, cut, and assembled wooden Christmas trees—a practical way to apply lessons on angles and measurements while learning how to
West Virginia Women Work (WVWW) is proud to announce its selection as one of ten organizations nationwide awarded funding through the GitLab Foundation’s inaugural Powering Economic Opportunity Fund. This national initiative supports nonprofits helping low-wage workers access quality, future-ready careers in fields such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and the
Confidence is one of the most valuable skills a person can bring to any workplace. It influences how we communicate, solve problems, and show up for the job each day. At West Virginia Women Work, training is about more than learning tools and techniques. It is about helping people believe
For many people, the idea of earning a living while training for a new career sounds too good to be true. But that’s exactly what apprenticeships offer: real wages, hands-on learning, and a direct path to stable work. Across West Virginia, skilled trades like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC are in
Building a strong career takes more than just one skill. It takes confidence, practical know-how, and the ability to adapt as workplaces change. That’s why West Virginia Women Work created SkillUp On Demand — a library of self-paced courses designed to help you grow at your own pace, wherever you
In construction and the skilled trades, knowing how to use a saw or operate a forklift is only part of the job. The workers who thrive are those who can set goals, manage their money, communicate with a crew, and overcome challenges both on and off the jobsite. At West
