Oregon Tradeswomen is dedicated to promoting success for women in the trades through eduaction, leadership, and mentorship. Founded in 1989 and incorporated as Oregon Tradeswomen Network in 1991 (and reorganized as Oregon Tradeswomen, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, in 1999)was founded on the principles that women deserve and can attain economic self-sufficiency through pursuing careers in the building, mechanical, electrical, and utility trades while helping, and encouraging, the trades industry build up a diverse workforce. Our programs and activities include: Pathways to Success, providing women seeking trades careers with individualized career counseling, employment services, and education, including our free 7-week state-certified Trades and Apprenticeship Career (TAC) Class; Building Girls, encouraging young women in middle and high school to view trades careers as exciting, viable and rewarding through positive skills coaching, exposure to female role models, career pathways guidance and supervised hands-on construction experiences; Tradeswomen Organized for Outreach, Leadership and Support (TOOLS), building leadership skills of tradeswomen to advocate for quality, safe, and equitable workplaces and communities; and The Women in Trades Career Fair, an annual event which encourages women and girls to explore high-paying, high-skilled careers in the building, mechanical, electrical and utility trades through interactive, hands-on workshops and exhibits.
