Nontraditional Employment for Women

Join us in welcoming Leah Rambo as our new president! No stranger to making history, Leah is the first woman of color and tradeswoman to serve as president of NEW. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau. Leah’s experience has prepared her to support NEW in creating more opportunities for women in the construction trades, leading to increased economic independence and a more diverse workforce. Over our history, we have increased the number of women in construction trades from two to seven percent, but we have much more work to do. Leah comes to NEW with an outstanding track record of fostering equity and inclusion within the construction workforce. Her experience, expertise, and passion position her as an ideal leader to guide NEW, say Maureen A. Henegan  and Steven Sommer, co-chairs of the NEW Board of Directors. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gVESYUDV #StrongHERtogether #EmpowerHER #WomeninTrades

Training women in blue collar industries is nothing NEW to us! #ThrowbackThursday to when our mission began nearly 50 years ago. Since then, NEW has broken barriers, empowering women in male-dominated fields. NEW will continue to help women build the foundational skills needed for a career in the building and construction trades. #NEWstrongWomen #BuildingHERfuture

Did you know NEW annually impacts 300-350 people through our core training program and supportive services, and places graduates in apprenticeship and other on-the-job training programs?   It’s true! NEW also provides support to its students and graduates through supportive services such as childcare assistance, housing referrals, union initiation dues and transportation assistance, and job placements.    NEW is focused not only on the recruitment and training of tradeswomen, but on their placement, retention, and success in trades careers for years to come.     #NEWstrongWomen #HardhatHERoes   [Featured tradeswomen in this video are NEW President Leah Rambo, Racquel Hazlewood, Local 3 Electrician, Tranay Coble, Local 15 Operating Engineers]

All workers, many voices, one fight. Over the weekend, thousands of organized labor organizations marched together in the annual Labor Day Parade! Workers representing more than 200 unions came together to celebrate their hard work in building, maintaining, and serving New York City. NEW staff, students, and instructors proudly marched alongside the city’s diverse workforce.   The event highlighted the labor movement’s commitment to organizing unrepresented workers across all industries. Since its inception in 1882, the Labor Day Parade has symbolized worker solidarity.   #NEWstrongWomen #LaborDayParade #HardhatHERoes

New York City students are back in school! Graduating seniors should consider a rewarding career in the trades.    Careers in the building and construction trades are so diverse—carpenters, electricians, operating engineers, painters, plumbers, and sheet metal workers, to name a few. NEW’s curriculum provides students with introduction to these trades and with the skills, tools, and opportunities to enter these careers. Trade jobs are well paid and provide good benefits—encourage the youth in your life to explore careers in the building and construction trades!   #NEWstrongWomen #BackToSchool 

Graduating from NEW transforms lives. Since 1978, NEW has impacted thousands of lives and built a strong community of tradeswomen that support each other and forge paths for others to follow.    Thanks to partnerships with employers, owners, and unions, NEW’s tradeswomen are working on major New York City projects in the skilled construction and building trades. Our comprehensive program includes training, job placement, and ongoing support. By enrolling at NEW, women are investing in their future.    #NEWstrongWomen

Happy Labor Day from NEW! This annual holiday is celebrated on the first Monday of September and was established in 1894 to recognize the contributions of American laborers and the unions who fought for their rights. It is an opportunity to reflect on the history and victories of workers’ rights and the significance of fair labor practices.   NEW honors all tradeswomen for their crucial role they have played and continue to play in shaping the labor movement, advancing equitable careers, and fighting for inclusion.   #NEWstrongWomen #LaborDay

New York Post recently published an article about women who are skipping college to pursue careers in nontraditional fields. NEW graduate Shauna Irving was featured in the article, and she talked about her career as an electrician in IBEW Local No. 3.    “I use every opportunity to encourage girls to be aware of what trade work is, and I always tell them you can pretty much achieve anything,” Irving said. “You can make the same amount of money as a man on the job, which is not guaranteed in other fields.”   Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ewZVqD5N   #NEWstrongWomen #StrongHERtogether

NEW partners with innovative organizations that share our common goal of training the next generation of tradeswomen. We are extremely fortunate to partner with Tools & Tiaras Inc., which empowers young girls through workshops and summer camps centered on skilled trades, and provides them with the skills and confidence to see limitless possibilities. NEW was delighted to host their summer camp in its Industry City facilities from August 5-9, during which girls learned basic construction skills, participated in life skills workshops, visited a construction site, and met new friends. #NEWstrongWomen #EmpowerHER

We’d like to spotlight one of our dedicated carpentry instructors, Robert Nelson! Prior to teaching at NEW, Robert was a union carpenter–working in that profession for over 30 years. He’s been teaching the next generation of tradeswomen for over two and half years. Robert’s daughter graduated from NEW, and suggested her dad become an instructor after he retired. “I have confidence in the women that leave here, that whatever they’re doing–in whatever job they have–they can do it.” #NEWstrongWomen #StrongHERtogether