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About The Trades

Click on a trade to learn more about it and how to get started.

female auto machinist
Automotive Machinists
boilermakers trade for women
Boilermakers
female bricklayer
Bricklayers
female carpenter
Carpenters
female electrician
Electricians
female elevator operator
Elevator Constructors
female firefighter
Firefighters
female insulator worker
Insulators & Allied Workers
female ironworker
Ironworkers
female laborer
Laborers (LiUNA)
female op engineer
Operating Engineers
female painter
Painters, Glaziers & Drywall Finishers
female piledriver
Pile Drivers
female plumber
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Sprinklerfitters
female plasterer
Plasters & Cement Masons
female roofer
Roofers
female sheetmetal worker
Sheetmetal Workers
female teamster
Teamsters
female plasterer
Plasters & Cement Masons
female roofer
Roofers
female sheetmetal worker
Sheetmetal Workers
female teamster
Teamsters

Electricians

The IBEW represents workers in the electrical industry including construction, gas and electric utilities, telecommunications, railroads and government agencies. Construction and residential electricians work in all phases of the electrical construction and service industry. Their worksites range from single-family residences to state-of-the-art industrial plants. Inside wire workers may install and maintain conduits, switches and converters, as well as wire lighting, to complex systems incorporating computerization and high technology. Electricians work in the electric sign industry and increasingly perform more work in the installation of fiber optics and voice/data/video equipment.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Bricklayers

BAC represents an array of skilled workers who practice the crafts of bricklaying, plastering, tile setting, stone, marble and cement masonry, and terrazzo and mosaic work. These craftsmen also conduct pointing/cleaning/caulking, restoration and refractory work. Their designs can be seen on many buildings, homes stadiums, statutes and landmarks throughout the United States and Canada.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Carpenters

General carpenters provide the crucial foundation for concrete, exteriors, roofs, infrastructure, and scaffolding while also crafting fine trim and finish work. These professionals work with a variety of materials in every kind of structure; they are responsible for bringing blueprints to life. UBC carpenters are skilled in laying out, measuring, cutting, erecting, and joining materials together. They are highly trained to work quickly, accurately, and safely, while delivering the quality of work contractors and their customers have come to expect.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Elevator Constructors

The IUEC represents the most qualified and trained elevator constructors in the world. Members assemble, install and replace elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walkways and similar equipment in new and old buildings. Elevator constructors also maintain and repair this equipment once it is in service, as well as modernize older equipment.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Insulators & Allied Workers

Members of these local unions apply insulation to pipes, tanks, boilers, ducts, refrigeration equipment and other surfaces requiring thermal control of temperatures. The responsibilities of these mechanics, improvers and apprentices also include the manufacture, fabrication, assembling, molding, erection, spraying, pouring, mixing, hanging, preparation, application, adjusting, alteration, repairing, dismantling, reconditioning, corrosive control, testing and maintenance of heat or frost insulation. Workers also handle insulation materials made of fiberglass, rubber, calcium silicate and urethane. Insulators also do removal of asbestos containing material.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Laborers (LiUNA)

LiUNA represents members working in construction, environmental remediation, maintenance, food service, health care, clerical and other occupations, as well as in state, local and municipal government jobs and as mail handlers in the US Postal Service. LIUNA members have helped lay down new highways, build spectacular bridges, dig tunnels and subways, build new plants, factories, dams and power plants, and erect new schools, churches, hospitals and houses. In building construction and housing laborers' work includes excavation, footing and foundations, carpenter tending, compaction, concrete placement, power and hand tools, general clean-up and mason tending for bricklayers. Environmental laborers do asbestos removal, hazardous waste and radiation clean-up.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Operating Engineers

The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) is a progressive, diversified trade union that primarily represents operating engineers, who work as heavy equipment operators, mechanics, and surveyors in the construction industry, and stationary engineers, who work in operations and maintenance in building and industrial complexes, and in the service industries. IUOE also represents nurses and other health industry workers, a significant number of public employees engaged in a wide variety of occupations, as well as a number of job classifications in the petrochemical industry.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Painters, Glaziers & Drywall Finishers

IUPAT members work in one or more of several crafts including painting, wallpaper hanging, glazing (glass work), drywall and taping, floor covering and sign and display work. Painters and paperhangers work in industrial, commercial and residential settings, from bridges and ships to interior walls of office buildings and homes. Drywall finishers tape, fill in and smooth seams in sheets of drywall. Glaziers prepare and install various kinds of glass, mirrors, metal framing and doors/entrances to buildings. Floor coverers work with resilient floors, as well as carpet and decorative coverings. Exterior sign and display work, like billboards, is another choice. Other types of work are convention display and show decorators.

Western Resource Center for Women in Apprenticeship

Plumbers, Pipefitters & Sprinklerfitters

UA is a multi-craft union that represents plumbers and pipe, sprinkler and refrigerator fitters, as well as service technicians. All of these jobs require the installation, remodeling or maintenance of systems that carry water, steam, air and other liquids or gases necessary for sanitation, industrial production, heating and air conditioning, and many other uses. Workers measure, cut and bend pipe, as well as weld, braze, caulk, solder, glue or thread joints at residential and commercial job sites.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Plasterers & Cement Masons

OPCMIA members represent skilled plasterers, cement masons, shophands and associated members. Plasterers finish interior walls and ceilings of buildings, apply plaster on masonry, metal, wirelath or gypsum. Bridges, canals, dams, reservoirs, roads and many other engineering feats would be impossible without the skills of OP&CMIA cement masons. Cement masons are responsible for all concrete construction, including pouring and finishing of slabs, steps, wall tops, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, paving and other concrete construction.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Roofers

Members of the Roofers union install new roofs and remove old roofs using a variety of materials. Roofers install hot built-up and single-ply roofing systems on mostly commercial/industrial structures. Waterproofers install moisture-resistant products on below-grade structures and other surfaces to prevent water intrusion into buildings. The work is performed in all weather conditions. Members also operate a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment associated with the installations of roofing and waterproofing products.

More Info 

Sheetmetal Workers

SMWIA members work in several industries. Sheet metal workers fabricate, install and service heating, venting and air conditioning systems; blowpipe and industrial systems; metal roofing; coping and flashing; and stainless steel work for restaurants, kitchens and hospitals. They prepare shop and field drawings manually and with computer programs. Members also provide HVAC/R services.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Teamsters

The Teamsters Union has several divisions, including a building material and construction trades Division. Members in this division are truck drivers who transport and haul material, merchandise, equipment or personnel between various locations-including construction sites, manufacturing plants, freight depots, warehouses and wholesale and retail facilities. They may also load and unload, make minor mechanical repairs and keep truck in good working order.

Teamsters 117

Automotive Machinists

With nearly 600,000 active and retired members, the IAM is one of the largest and most diverse labor unions in North America. From Boeing and Lockheed Martin to United Airlines and Harley-Davidson, you will find IAM members across all walks of life. TWI works with IAM, local 1414 and the City and County of San Francisco to recruit for IAM’s pre-apprenticeship program which serves as a pipeline for MUNI auto mechanics.

Permission Newsy

Firefighters

Firefighters today not only suppress structure and wildland fires, but they perform a wide variety of rescue operations. These can range from vehicle extrication and water rescue to managing disasters like earthquakes, floods and acts of terrorism. Firefighters also respond to all types of medical emergencies on a daily basis. Many firefighters have Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and others have gone on to achieve paramedic certification. Besides rescue operations, firefighters can be found in related areas such as fire prevention education and hazardous materials response.

Permission Washington Post

Ironworkers

Members of the Ironworkers assemble and erect steel framework and other metal parts in buildings and on bridges, dams, skyscrapers, factories and other steel structures. They raise, place and join steel girders and columns to form structural frameworks, including the welding for metal decking.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Boilermakers

Boilermakers are involved in building very large tanks, heavy pipe work and pressure vessels for nuclear power plants, refineries, and chemical manufacturers. As a Boilermaker, one assembles, erects and maintains boilers, tanks pressure vessels, heat exchangers, calandrias, pollution control systems, furnaces, condensers, water towers, penstocks and scroll casings using hoisting, rigging, welding equipment, tools and hardware as required by drawings, specifications and the applicable codes and standards.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades

Pile Drivers

Pile drivers drive steel, concrete, or wood piling into the earth during the early stages of construction. Skill is crucial to both a project’s success and the safety of workers, since the piling is necessary to hold back the earth during excavations; to set up the foundation of skyscrapers, highways, and bridges; and to build docks and wharfs. UBC pile drivers are experts in all aspects of this challenging job, beginning with pre-installation inspections of the material and job site using static and dynamic testing. They are skilled at determining load-carrying capacities, gauging hammer performance, and accommodating lateral, compression, or tension loads. Some pile drivers are also commercial divers, responsible for the underwater construction required by many industries, including construction and power generation.

Produced in collaboration by Tradeswomen Inc. and the California State Building Trades