The Sisters in the Brotherhood (SIB) program continues to break down barriers, proving that jobs don’t have gender.

The Sisters pre-apprentice program began in New York State (excluding the five boroughs) in 2015. Since that time about 150 women have been accepted into the now four-week pre-apprentice program that runs Monday – Friday, eight hours a day at the training centers. In the Hudson Valley the recently renovated center is in Rock Tavern.

Among the women who saw the SIB pre-apprentice program as an opportunity to get ahead in life is Kaycee McGovern, who after six years working in retail decided that “If I’m going to work hard for a job I want the job to work hard for me. That’s when I decided to give the union a shot.”

She describes what it’s like for a woman on a job site.

A graduate of Minisink Valley, McGovern is now a third-year apprentice working for Tri-State Drywall & Acoustical. She talks about getting ahead in life.