OVERVIEW | MYTHS AND FACTS | GETTING STARTED IN THE TRADES | FAQs
FAQs
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about women in the trades. We welcome your questions! Click here to access our submission form.
QUESTION:
Do you need a GED to participate in the program? If so, is there a GED component attached to the program? What would you recommend to participate in this program?
Question submitted by sonia
ANSWER:
Yes, you do need a GED or a high school diploma to participate in our program and unfortunately we do not have a GED component. What I would recommend is to contact your nearest City College and they more than likely have a GED program you can enroll in.
QUESTION:
How can I become a Plumber?
Question submitted by Laura
ANSWER:
Like most skilled trades, you become a plumber through an apprenticeship program. The Plumber’s apprenticeship is a 5 year program. To gain entrance to this apprenticeship you must:
•Complete and return application (Applications are available once a year. Applications are now being accepted 01/04 – 03/04)
•Pass an aptitude test
•Complete a personal experience form (This substitutes for an interview, so it needs to be completed carefully)
•Obtain a letter of recommendation or an ‘intent to hire’ letter from a contractor
•Based on a combination of accrued points from the above, applicants are ranked
•Applicants are selected according to their rank
Contact:
Plumbers’ Joint Apprenticeship Committee, Local Union 130, U.A.
312-421-1028
1400 W Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60607
Now remember Chicago Women in Trades offers a free pre-apprenticeship training that prepares women for the aptitude test an oral interview given by most apprenticeship programs for acceptance.
QUESTION:
I work part time I am able to attend the evening classes but the saturday class would be a problem because I work in the mornings .I attended the orientation sometime during 2003, and the classes were 2 evenings a week and one saturday. Would it be possible to attend evenings and miss saturdays. let me know what the classrooms days and times are selected for carpentry.maybe I work out something.
Question submitted by carolyn
ANSWER:
I am sorry but the class schedule is Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm all three days are mandatory to participate in this program. The program is a 200 hr class held in a 12 week time frame the Saturdays are a must to complete the hours. Saturdays are also the hands on days where the class does hands on projects/activities and visits different apprenticeship programs so students are exposed to a variety of construction trades.
QUESTION:
I 'm citizen of USA . I would like involve myself to this program, but I don't have very good comunication skill, however I can read and
write Enghish very well. Do you think I could participate in Chicago Women in Trade
Maria.
Question submitted by Maria
ANSWER:
Yes, you are more than welcome to participate in CWIT. Having the ability to reading and write in English is goin to be critical when trying to getting in the trades. I would suggest maybe taking an ESL class to strengthen your communication skills so it is not a hindrance to your success in a workplace.
QUESTION:
I am interested in becoming an electrician. I live in central Iowa and have been unable, so far, to find any Women in the Trades program in this area. Do you know of any? Where should I call or write to obtain apprenticeship information?
Question submitted by Shevaun
ANSWER:
I do not know of any Women in Trades organizations in Iowa. I know of electrical apprenticeship programs in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, IA. You should visit www.njatc.org to find out about more apprenticeship programs that may be available in Iowa. I hope this is helpful.
QUESTION:
I'd like to know when the next training session begins for the Carpentry program. I have been unemployed for almost a year and would like to find out if I would have a "long" wait, before I could begin training? I also have questions about the entry requirements for the program; for example is Math and or English testing needed? What is the level of competency required for each one, and if there are any stipends given during the training for transportation costs? I hope you can help.
Thank you,
Carla Naylor
sylvesta9446@yahoo.com
Question submitted by Carla
ANSWER:
These are all questions that would be better answered at an Information Session. Information Sessions are held four times a month, the 1st & 3rd Wed of the month at 10:30 am and the 2nd & 4th Wed of each month at 5:30 pm. If you are interested in attending the class you must first attend an Information Session. Our summer class will begin in July 04.
QUESTION:
I would like to know if you have class here in chicago for electriction if so were and when if not where can i get info?
Question submitted by Tara
ANSWER:
Chicago Women in Trades offers free training that prepares women to take the aptitude test to get into apprenticeship programs in the construction unions. Our class is not geared towards any specific trade all the apprenticeship test have standard components and we cover all of those components in class. So after taking our class you should be able to apply to the apprenticeship of your choice. To answer your question yes we can prepare you for the Electricians’ Apprenticeship process.
So if you are interested make sure you come to Orientation on June 10, 2004 at 6:00 pm the address is 2800 S. Western Ave., Room 1313. Our class is held at the same address two nights a week and all day Saturday.
QUESTION:
DO YOU HELP WITH JOB PLACEMENT?
Question submitted by DOMINIQUE
ANSWER:
Our goal is to prepare women for entrance into apprenticeship programs in the construction unions. If you are accepted to an apprenticeship program the program will place you. We can some times help union tradeswomen with employment opportunites but we cannot guarantee job placement.
QUESTION:
There are is a 1 year electrical practitionar program available at a community college that I am interested in. Is it better to recieve training through an apprenticeship or to attend a 1 or 2 year training program? Have any other tradewomen out there had any experience with going the community college route?
Question submitted by Marie
ANSWER:
The difference between an electrical practitioner program and an electrical apprenticeship program is that apprenticeship programs are hosted by the unions, so upon completion of an apprenticeship program you will be a journey level, union tradeswoman. After taking classes at a community college you will still more than likely have to go through an apprenticeship program to become unionized.
