Women’s Interests Increase in the Trades
This week, Rosedale Technical College and several students and staff members were featured in a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article as well as a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article that explored the increase of female students in trade schools. While positions such as auto and diesel mechanics, electrical technology technicians, or HVAC and welding technicians have traditionally been male-dominated (as of 2013, women hold just 1.8 percent of jobs for automotive service technicians and mechanics, according to this report), in the past few years, women are entering the trades in greater numbers.
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The article interviewed students who are completing programs at Rosedale that were once considered to be only for men. In many cases, the women who enroll in Rosedale’s programs don’t look at a career in the trades as one that’s non-traditional, because it builds on a skill that they acquired years ago or is an interest they’ve had their whole life.
These students have created a group, called Women of Rosedale Tech, which allows them to share their experiences of working towards careers that are male-dominated. Rosedale, which has robust relationships with many employers in Western Pennsylvania, says that it receives requests for female graduates that it’s pleased to fill.
The article also discussed the fact that more high school career centers and technical training schools in the Pittsburgh area are seeing a greater number of young women completing programs that were once traditionally male. In fact, middle school career days and recruitment events now include both genders for all jobs.
Women are poised to increase their numbers in the trades workforce and in non-traditional fields. Call Rosedale Technical College today to schedule a tour or to attend an upcoming open house.