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, union programs, or manufacturing floors.
At West Virginia Women Work, we teach more than how to use tools. We focus on the full picture, job readiness, communication, time management, following instructions, and sticking with a project when it gets tough. For someone who’s never had structure or consistent employment, that experience changes everything.
Graduates walk into apprenticeships with their feet already under them. They’re familiar with jobsite safety, they know how to work alongside a crew, and they’ve already had a taste of what it takes to succeed. As a result, they’re more confident, more capable, and more likely to stick with the path.
Pre-apprenticeship isn’t a shortcut. It’s the step that makes the rest of the journey possible. It’s where learning turns into momentum—and that momentum changes lives.
