'Building Women' event set by trades

Women interested in careers in construction and related areas can participate in hands-on exhibits at a free career fair March 23 at the TMCC/IGT Applied Technology Center at 475 Edison Way in Reno.

The "Building Women" event runs from

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a free lunch. It is sponsored by the Western Apprenticeship Coordinators Association in conjunction with Sierra Pacific Power Co., City of Reno, Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, Nevada JobConnect, JOIN, Inc., National Association for Women In Construction, Sierra Nevada Job Corps and Truckee Meadows Community College.

"What makes this unique is that the women will be able to do something operate a crane, fuse a pipe, etc. and learn how to apply and qualify for free building trade apprenticeship programs," said Greg Smith, president of the Western Apprenticeship Coordinators Association.

Registration forms are available at the Reno and Sparks JobConnect offices, online at www.buildingtradejobs.org or by calling 825-6866 in Reno. Pre-registration deadline is March 9.

The Western Apprenticeship Coordinators Association hopes the event will increase interest in construction trades among women, particularly as the retirement of Baby Boomers creates labor shortages.

The trades' apprenticeship programs vary but all contain these same basic elements: Applicants must be 18 years old, have a high school diploma (or equivalent), a valid driver's license and be physically able to perform assigned tasks.

Programs combine on-the-job training under master craftspersons while earning salaries that begin at more than $10 an hour with classroom learning. All apprenticeship programs are free and most include paid college credits through TMCC.

Apprentice programs run from two to five years and employment is virtually guaranteed at the programs' conclusion.