Booming Skilled Trades Are Ready for More Women

[theHandpuppet]

http://womensenews.org/story/labor/140830/booming-skilled-trades-are-ready-more-women#.VAZCI01OWM8
Booming Skilled Trades Are Ready for More Women
By Audrey Clark
WeNews commentator
Monday, September 1, 2014

For Labor Day, Audrey Clark offers a look at four building trades that all promise strong growth and good pay. For women it's no longer flying too high to think of a high-paying job in, for instance, aviation mechanics.


(WOMENSENEWS)--Traditionally, skilled trade occupations like plumbers, electricians and mechanics have been dominated by men.

Sexism has unfortunately played a significant part in that, as women were generally supposed to be unable to do these jobs due to either a lack of interest or lack of overall strength and prowess that would be required in that field.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has identified five major barriers women face, for example, in blue-collar transportation careers: lack of information about these occupations; difficult, male-dominated work culture; lack of family support while working in these strenuous positions; lack of basic skills due to little exposure to adequate personal and educational experiences; and lack of reliable transportation and tools to perform job duties effectively.

While these issues certainly apply, things may be brightening in the skilled trades, which actually offer great career opportunities for women. Demand is strong now and qualified women are increasingly sought after in this sector. These four well-paying trades offer real promise to women, who dominate the low-wage workforce.... MORE at link provided above.

[brer cat]

1. It is good that there are high paying jobs for women

that don't require a 4-year college degree. Too many woman cannot make the financial sacrifices or time commitment that is required for a traditional degree. I wonder if internships are available for women to learn the necessary skills for these trades? So many vocational schools seem like private college rip-offs that I don't know where else women could obtain the training.