Fair highlights non-traditional career opportunities for women


PORTLAND, OR -- Women in the trades?

America's workforce has changed dramatically during the past 40 years when many women put away aprons and began donning suits to go to work.

But hard hats?

While women currently make up 47 percent of the workforce, in Oregon only 5.5 percent of apprentices are female, according to the Oregon Tradeswomen Network, a non-profit group that promotes the success of women in the trades through education, leadership and mentorship.

To help change those numbers, the Network is reaching out to women of all ages through its annual Women in Trades Fair. The most recent was held May 8-9 at the new training center of Electrical Workers Local 48 in northeast Portland.

The message they delivered was that careers in the trades are interesting, challenging, well-paying and open to women.

The fair featured workshops, exhibits, hands-on demonstrations and women's work clothes fashions. Tradeswomen were on hand to tell their stories and discuss how careers in the trades have changed their lives.

On May 8 the fair was open for school-to-work field trips for middle and high school age girls. More than 300 teens visited.

The Tradeswomen Network also handed out several awards.

Kathleen Johnson of Salem-based Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 280 was named Trades-woman of the Year while Annette Sauder of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 was tapped as the Apprentice of the Year. Apprenticeship Program of the Year honors went to Portland-based Sheet Metal Workers Local 16, with nine female apprentices and 16 women pre-apprentices.

Fred Vogel was named Instructor of the Year. The IBEW Local 48 member teaches at the Metro Electrical Training Center and at Benson High School in Portland. Copenhagen Utilities and Construction, a union employer, was selected as Employer of the Year.

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