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. […]
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 […]
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, […]
What Employers Look For and How We Help You Get There
When you are applying for a job, especially in the skilled trades, most people focus on learning the technical skills. And that is important. Knowing how to use tools, follow blueprints, and stay safe on the jobsite matters. But ask almost any employer what they are really looking for, and they will often tell you […]
The Hidden Work Behind Workforce Readiness: Why Pre-Apprenticeship Is the Game Changer
When someone gets hired but can’t hold the job, people often blame the worker. But what if the real issue is that they were never given the chance to prepare? Pre-apprenticeship fills a gap most people don’t even see. It gives people the chance to build skills before stepping into high-stakes environments like construction sites, […]
Why Pre-Apprenticeship Training Saves Time and Money
When someone shows up for a job unprepared, it costs everyone. Employers, training programs, and the individual trying to get a fresh start all feel the impact. That’s where pre-apprenticeship comes in. At West Virginia Women Work, we train people before they ever set foot on a jobsite or apply for an apprenticeship. We focus […]
Why Skilled Trades Matter More Than Ever in West Virginia
In West Virginia, we know the value of hard work. When something breaks, we fix it. When there’s a job to be done, we roll up our sleeves and get it done. That kind of mindset is exactly what the skilled trades are built on. At West Virginia Women Work, we’ve spent the last 25 […]