Why Pre-Apprenticeship Matters More Than Ever
Everyone agrees we need more skilled workers. Across West Virginia and beyond, employers are looking for dependable, trained individuals who can step onto a jobsite ready to work. Apprenticeship programs are a great solution, but they are not always the first step. In many cases, they are the second. That is where pre-apprenticeship comes in. […]
Safety Starts With Us: Why It’s Everyone’s Job
Construction is one of the most rewarding and most dangerous industries out there.But here’s the truth: most injuries are preventable. Whether you’re sweeping a floor or running the crew, safety is never someone else’s job. It starts with you. Why Safety Culture Matters Accidents don’t just affect one person. They impact families, job sites, project […]
Voice From The Field: Lisa Jones
What is your name and profession? I’m Lisa Jones, and I’m the Program Coordinator for the WVU Extension Small Farm Center which is a center under the larger Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Unit that is part of WVU Extension. I know your work focuses on supporting folks in the agriculture business. Can you tell […]
Voice From The Field: Matthew Creameans – Training the Next Generation of Crane Operators
What is your name and what do you do? My name is Matthew Creameans, and I started NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) crane operator training when I was 17 years old. Crane operating is a family business, and I’ve operated cranes in a wide range of industries. Today, my business—Crane Edge, […]
Voice From The Field: Dakota Brown
What is your name, and what is your nontraditional career? My name is Dakota Brown, and I am a Cultivation Associate. My department focuses on cultivation and harvest, and I work on the harvest side of that. Let’s start at the beginning of your career journey. What were you doing before you worked in medical […]
Trades vs. Traditional College: What’s the Better Fit for You?
Choosing a career path is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. For decades, the message was clear: go to college, get a degree, and success will follow. But with rising student debt, changing job markets, and a growing need for skilled workers, more people are taking a second look at what a […]
What Is Soft Skills Training—And Why Do Employers Care So Much?
When most people think about job training, they picture learning how to use tools, machines, or specific computer programs. But there’s another kind of training that can be just as important—sometimes even more so. It’s called soft skills training, and employers everywhere are looking for it. At West Virginia Women Work, we see the difference […]
Is a Career in the Trades Right for You?
With the rising cost of college, growing demand for skilled workers, and increasing interest in hands-on careers, more people are exploring the possibility of entering the trades. But how do you know if it’s the right path for you? At West Virginia Women Work, we’ve worked with hundreds of individuals considering this very question. If […]
Voice From The Field: Lauryn Alexander
Can you tell me about your education and professional journey? My background is in chemistry. I got my bachelor’s in chemistry from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia which is an HBCU. An incident happened while I was an undergrad that prompted me to explore a career as a lawyer. There was a case in which […]
Step Up for Women Advanced Manufacturing Pre-apprenticeship Alumni: Nicole Holley
What is your name, and what is your job? My name is Nicole Holley, and I’m a CNC plasma table operator. What were you doing before you enrolled in WV Women Work’s Step Up for Women manufacturing class? I worked as a customer advocate for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. That was a really stressful […]
