Empowering Women
In The Skilled Trades

Apply for our comprehensive 10/12-week pre-apprenticeship programs

Who We Are

Founded in 2000, West Virginia Women Work, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, strives to help women in West Virginia earn a living wage.

What We Do

The primary focus of the organization’s activities is to help women explore, train, and secure employment in nontraditional occupations, especially the skilled trades.

What We Offer

We offer pre-apprenticeship training in construction and manufacturing, mentorship, and workforce support to businesses, unions, and organizations that employ or serve women.

How You Can Help

Our work is fully powered by grants and generous donations. Each dollar we receive is directly invested into our transformative programs. By donating or sponsoring a scholarship, you can play a pivotal role in empowering a woman today. Join us in making a difference.

Our Programs

Step Up for Women Construction

Department of Labor recognized quality pre-apprenticeship program focusing on training women for careers in the skilled trades. Classes held in Charleston & Morgantown, WV.

Step Up for Women Advanced Manufacturing

Department of Labor recognized quality pre-apprenticeship program focusing on training women for careers in manufacturing. Classes held in Charleston, WV.

PartnerUp

PartnerUp is a mentoring program designed for women that are under or unemployed looking to overcome barriers in their education or employment.

SkillUp

SkillUp is a specialized virtual program aimed at equipping women with the essential skills needed to thrive in any career path they choose.

SAFE

Designed with the unique needs of blue-collar and paraprofessional workers in mind, SAFE is your pathway to a more secure, respectful, and equitable workplace.

No Barriers Alliance

Partners with a goal of working towards a more inclusive and equitable workforce.

EEO Compliance

*WV Women Work can help RAPs and employers comply with universal outreach and recruitment requirements of the apprenticeship EEO regulations. For more information visit: https://westvirginiawomenwork.org/technical-assistance

What's New at West Virginia Women Work

West Virginia Women Work in the Media

Breaking the Chains of Poverty – Black By God
My journey from struggle to skilled trades with West Virginia Women Work

WV Women Work, Inc. Wins 2024 Impact Prize for Workforce Development Innovation

We are thrilled to share that WV Women Work, Inc. has been awarded the 2024 Impact Prize! This honor recognizes our dedication to empowering women through workforce development and technical training. Thank you to the Impact Prize team for this recognition. Together, we are making a difference and advancing economic mobility for women in West Virginia. Stay tuned to learn more about our work and the impact we are making!

Read the full press release here: 

New Million Dollar Impact Prize for Workforce Innovation Announces 2024 Winners and Finalists

Introducing the SAFE Program: Elevating Workplace Standards for West Virginia's Industries

Welcome to a new chapter in workplace excellence with the launch of West Virginia Women Work’s SAFE Program. Designed to meet the unique needs of West Virginia’s blue-collar and paraprofessional sectors, including construction, extraction, and manufacturing, our program is here to transform your workplace. SAFE focuses on enhancing safety, ensuring a respectful work environment, and fostering a culture of fairness and support across all levels of your organization. Discover how our tailored approach can help your company not only comply with essential safety regulations but also thrive by setting new benchmarks in operational success. Join us in leading the way to a safer, more productive future.

Discover the Difference: Schedule Your SAFE Consultation Today!

West Virginia Women Work Selected as Lowe's Gable Grant Recipient

Lowe's Foundation Awards Over $6 Million in Gable Grants to Innovative Community-Based ...
/PRNewswire/ -- The Lowe's Foundation has selected 10 community-based nonprofits as Gable Grants recipients to enhance their innovative skilled trades training...

From Our Desk: Latest News and Insights from WV Women Work

What Employers are Saying

"In the construction industry and in our local job market, there is a high demand for construction workers in general, but women, in particular, are under-represented. The WV Women Work program is the only program in our area that provides training in the construction trades for women. As such, this program is invaluable to March-Westin. In fact, March-Westin has hired several graduates of your program into our apprenticeship program and we hope to continue to have the WV Women Work program as a recruitment source."

"Over the past several years the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local #132 has utilized the Step Up program to recruit qualified women for our workforce. The program is operated by WV Women Work and has consistently provided us with highly skilled, female, entry-level workers we need."

A special THANK YOU to these great partners who took the opportunity to support our mission!

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