Building Skills and Holiday Spirit: Step Up Students Put Their Measuring Skills to Work

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 make efficient use of materials. […]
West Virginia Women Work Selected for GitLab Foundation’s Powering Economic Opportunity Fund

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 skilled trades. The funding will […]
Building Confidence on the Job: How Training Builds More Than Skills

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 in their abilities and see […]
How Apprenticeships Build Careers Without Breaking the Bank

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 high demand, and apprenticeship programs […]
Introducing SkillUp On Demand: Training That Fits Your Life

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 are. Why SkillUp On Demand? […]
Beyond the Tools: Life Skills That Build Careers

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 Virginia Women Work (WVWW), we […]
Why Safety Training Comes First in the Skilled Trades

When you step onto a jobsite, safety isn’t just a rule; it’s a culture. Before a worker picks up a power tool, climbs a ladder, or moves materials, they need the skills and awareness to protect themselves and the people around them. That’s why, at West Virginia Women Work (WVWW), our Step Up Pre-Apprenticeship programs […]
Is a Hands-On Career Right for You? Here’s How to Know

You don’t need a fancy resume to build a solid future.If you’ve ever been told you’re a hard worker, good with your hands, or someone people count on, you might be a great fit for a career in construction. At West Virginia Women Work, we help people discover their strengths and train for skilled trades […]
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, […]