Bridging Outstanding Opportunities with Tradeswomen Skills (B.O.O.T.S.)
The Southwest Mountain States Regional Council of Carpenters, in partnership with the Training Fund, offers the B.O.O.T.S. program to women entering the carpentry trade. B.O.O.T.S., which stands for "Bridging Opportunities with Tradeswoman Skills," is a four-week pre-Apprenticeship program designed to empower and assist women who are considering becoming a union carpenter. The program serves as an introduction to carpentry, focusing on safety, math, framing, concrete form building and more.
Our 4-week program was specifically developed for women, to provide the hands-on training needed to SUCCEED in the Carpentry trades.
How to Join B.O.O.T.S.
Interested in this 4 week pre-apprenticeship program? Call or visit the Whittier Training center to sign up for an orientation.
- Must be female and at least 18 years of age
- Must have reliable transportation
- No construction experience required
We will help develop your skills in the following areas:
- Safety – OSHA 10 Certification
- Math for the trades
- Material & tool recognition and handling
- Intro to basic metal stud framing
- Intro to concrete form work
People Making a Difference: Training Program Teaches Women Basics of Construction
Women face significant barriers to entering construction-industry apprenticeship programs. B.O.O.T.S. assists women in obtaining meaningful training opportunities in their chosen trade. The program identifies, recruits and prepares women to be successful on the job. It helps lay the groundwork for the cultural changes needed at construction sites so women can have rewarding careers. The program works with established community-based organizations that primarily assist women in the trades.
In addition to the training typically provided in pre-apprenticeship programs, B.O.O.T.S. incorporates interpersonal training to help women learn to set clear boundaries with men related to acceptable on-the-job behavior. Women also do daily physical exercise routines. This helps them confidently manage the hand tools and power tools of the Carpenters’ trades. The program also provides outreach to Carpenters apprenticeship program graduates, matching them with mentors who will guide them in continuous on-the-job performance improvement. Mentor relationships make it more likely that graduates will continue to work in their chosen trade.
Women who successfully complete the B.O.O.T.S. program will be provided with a set of basic tools and personal protective equipment once they are hired by a union contractor.
The apprenticeship offers a start in this career that gives us ladies a chance to prove we are more then just girls--we have heart, we're dedicated to working hard and we want to become aces at what we do. There's a lot you can accomplish and be proud of. That's great motivation to succeeded.
—Felisha Espinoza