INDUSTRY-LEADING OPPORTUNITIES

RIGHT: Quilda Rodrigues got her start in sheet metal work through the pre-apprenticeship program Building Pathways.

LOCAL 17 RECOGNIZED FOR RECRUITING RECORD NUMBER OF TRADESWOMEN

When the Commonwealth of Massachusetts put forth a challenge to increase the number of women in our apprentice class to 20% by 2020, we answered the call. We’re proud to receive the 20% Tradeswomen by 2020 Award this year for making — and exceeding — this goal. Quilda Rodrigues is just one of our members who has benefited from these efforts. Rodrigues joined the Building Pathways pre-apprenticeship program two years ago, after 13 years as an elevator worker. “I wasn’t making much money, and it was the same work over and over,” she said. Rodrigues applied for Building Pathways’ pre-apprenticeship program, which introduced her to a wide variety of trades. And at the suggestion of Building Pathways Executive Director Mary Vogel, Rodrigues applied to be a sheet metal worker. “I never thought I would be able to do it,” she said. “I started two years ago, and I love it. It sounds crazy to say ‘I love my job,’ but I really, really do. My team is great, and my foreman is super patient. I’m in the process of buying a house, which I wouldn’t be able to do this soon without this job.” As a single mother, Rodrigues used to worry about providing for herself and her kids. She credits her work as a union sheet metal worker for putting those worries to rest and building her confidence. Most of all, she wants other women to see that they can do the work, too. “I used to have low self-esteem and doubt what I was capable of, but with this job, there’s nothing I feel like I can’t do. I’m like, ‘Okay girl, you can do anything.’”

Learn more about the Building Pathways pre-apprenticeship program by scanning the code with your smartphone: