The North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC) has announced the launch of its annual Sisters in the Brotherhood recruitment program which provides women the opportunity to establish a career in carpentry – an industry that is traditionally overlooked.

The initiative coincides with National Women in Construction Week which is being recognized during Women’s History Month. To kick off the program, NASRCC will host a virtual information session at 6 p.m. on April 2^nd for women who are interested in learning more about a career in carpentry.

“The Sisters-in-the-Brotherhood pre-apprentice program was created to open the doors of opportunity for women who may not have considered a career as a carpenter. We hope to inform and motivate a new generation of carpenters that reflect our communities, and we look forward to supporting new members as they begin their career as a union carpenter,” said Nicole Grodner, Carpenters Local 290 Council Representative and New York Chair of the Sisters in the Brotherhood Committee.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, only 11.5 percent of construction workers are women. Approximately 11,000 women are employed as construction workers in the state. The Sisters in the Brotherhood program has launched the carpentry careers of over 150 women across New York since 2015.

The April 2^nd session provides an opportunity to learn about the eight-week pre-apprenticeship program that will begin this coming spring at NASRCC training centers throughout the state. It is the first step toward a four-year apprenticeship program with the Carpenters’ Union. The pre-apprenticeship program provides women with the opportunity to gain experience and become skilled, qualified carpenters, offering them a path to a career with excellent wages, benefits, and independence through trade education.

The NASRCC’s pre-apprentice program provides an opportunity for women 17 years or older in New York, outside of the five boroughs of New York City. To register for a virtual information session click here, or visit nasrcc.org/sib to learn more.