We Train Skilled Workers. That’s Our Mission.
For 25 years, West Virginia Women Work has helped people train for high-wage, hands-on careers — especially in construction and the skilled trades.
Our mission is to support and advocate for education, employment, and economic equity — through real work, real skills, and real outcomes.
We offer practical training, barrier-busting support, and career coaching that helps folks not just get hired, but build a future they can count on.
We stick to what works: real skills, real jobs, and real outcomes.
We believe in:
🟡 Opportunity – creating real paths to better jobs
🟡 Independence – helping folks earn a living wage and rely on themselves
🟡 Education – focused, job-ready learning with practical impact
🟡 Enrichment – not just getting a job, but building a better life
Why This Work Still Matters in West Virginia
Skilled workers are in short supply. Good jobs still don’t feel reachable for too many people.
West Virginia faces a growing shortage of workers in construction, manufacturing, energy, and other high-demand trades. But at the same time, many people in our communities are ready to work — they just need the right tools, training, and support to take that next step.
We’re here to close that gap. We help individuals gain the skills, certifications, and confidence they need to get hired, earn a living wage, and build a future they can count on.
Common barriers our students face:
Lack of access to hands-on training
No prior experience or credentials
Gaps in work history
Transportation or child care issues
No support system
🟡 And yet — they show up, train hard, and get to work.
Our Approach: Training, Support, Results
We don’t just teach skills — we help people build a future.
Our pre-apprenticeship and job readiness programs combine real-world training with the kind of support that makes success possible.
Here’s how we do it:
🛠 Hands-On Training
Students learn the basics of carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and welding through real projects — not just textbooks.
📜 Certifications That Matter to Employers
OSHA 10, First Aid/CPR, Forklift, and other credentials that employers want to see.
🤝 Career Coaching & Job Readiness
Resume building, interview practice, budgeting, teamwork, and communication skills to help folks show up strong and stay on the job.
🎯 Support That Sticks
We remove barriers with things like snacks and supplies, mileage reimbursement, and help connecting to community resources — so students can focus on their future.
✅ A Plan for What’s Next
Our staff works with each student to build a path forward — whether that’s apprenticeship, employment, or further training.
This combination of training, support, and real-world prep is why our graduates don’t just land jobs — they build careers.
Ready to Learn a Trade and Get to Work?
Step Up is a free, 12-week construction training program designed to get you job-ready fast. It’s designed for individuals ready to work hard and take the first step into a skilled trades career, no experience needed. Learn basics in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, welding, and more — plus earn certifications like OSHA 10, Forklift, and First Aid/CPR.
Hands-on skills. Job site visits. Real-world results. We’ll help you take the first step — and keep going.
This isn’t just training — it gets people hired.
Our graduates leave with more than just skills, they leave job-ready.
They earn certifications, build real experience, and get the support they need to step into a career that pays.
And when someone lands a good job, the impact reaches far beyond a paycheck, it strengthens families, businesses, and whole communities.
What That Looks Like
$530,000+ in new wages earned
A single class. One year. Local impact.
Grads hired into in-demand industries
Construction, energy, advanced manufacturing, and more.
Many hired before graduation
Many receive job offers before graduation.
Careers that keep growing
Through apprenticeships, certifications, and employer partnerships.
Ready To Get To Work?
Whether you’re here to train, partner, or support, there’s a place for you. For 25 years, we’ve helped build West Virginia’s workforce one person, one job, one community at a time.
