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Launching Inclusive Futures in Trades Returns to Essex

by Jillian Scannell

LIFT participants work on electrical wires during the weeklong summer program

 

For the fourth year, Vermont Works for Women’s Launching Inclusive Futures in Trades (LIFT) program was held at Center for Technology Essex, connecting 14 high schoolers to a variety of hands-on experiences. Participants spent the week exploring different trades fields through technical projects. With the help of VWW staff and industry professionals, participants were introduced to skills and opportunities available in carpentry, welding, and electrical. 

Welding

Led by VWW staff and professional welder at Flywheel Industrial Arts, Natalie Hebert, the week started with students designing and crafting their own metal projects. Though welding can be intimidating, the group was eager to get into the booth. Soon, sparks were literally flying as the participants began to bring their designs to life!  After planning their projects on paper, participants cut out metal shapes with a plasma cutter, hammered and filed the metal, and then welded together their final creations. Projects included: metal flowers, a butterfly sculpture, a bowl made from bike chains, and more! 

This was most participants’ first time MIG welding and plasma cutting, and several of them discovered a new passion for the trade. One participant shared, “I learned how to weld this week and it helped me realize that I do wanna go into welding even though it’s nerve-wracking.” What a great way to kick off the week!  

LIFT participant uses a plasma cutter to cut metal shapes LIFT participant uses a plasma cutter to cut metal shapes

 

 

 

 

 

Electrical

How many people can say they’ve made their own extension cords? Well, our 14 LIFT participants now can! Led by VELCO’s Erika Weliczko, participants spent Tuesday afternoon exploring electrical basics. Electrical work requires precision and close attention to detail, which was frustrating for some participants. Others enjoyed this aspect of the trade, and one participant was excited to discover that “making a cord is not as hard as I thought.” With Erika’s patient guidance, everyone stuck with the project and was able to make a functioning extension cord by the end of the workshop. Seeing the cord they had worked so hard on successfully power a small fan was incredibly gratifying. One participant said, “I enjoyed the work we did and can imagine enjoying a career in electrical work or welding. 

LIFT participants repair power cords during an electrical lesson A LIFT participant strips wire during an electrical lesson

 

 

 

 

 

Carpentry 

Lexi Freylersythe, general contractor and owner of Nitty Gritty Tile & Trades, joined us to lead the carpentry workshop. The projects Lexi planned exposed participants to new tools, types of joinery, and other professional woodworking techniques, which was a perfect way to build upon the basic carpentry experience many participants brought to LIFT. They began by building floating shelves using dowel joints, then moved on to make small wooden chests with curved lids. Participants were excited to get their hands on a variety of tools, including a drill press, drill, belt sander, orbital sander, miter saw, and jigsaw. One participant shared, “I learned that I really enjoy working with my hands and I learned how to use a sander.” Once the floating shelves were finished, Lexi taught the group how to use a magnet to find studs to ensure that each participant could safely hang their shelf when they brought it home. 

At the end of the week, participants were able to apply the skills they learned to design and build their own custom projects, including a Leopold bench, wood figurines, a maple leaf wall decoration, and more!  

A LIFT participant uses a belt sander during carpentry instruction A LIFT participant uses an orbital sander during a carpentry session.

 

 

 

 

 

POWER SKILLS

In addition to hands-on workshops, participants engaged in our Power Skills curriculum, designed to support participants’ social-emotional skills to help them navigate school, relationships, and think critically about their future career path. The group created group agreements, learned strategies to cope with stress in healthy ways, and discussed gender stereotypes. 

VWW’s Trailblazers Program Manager, Robina Moyer, also visited to lead a discussion about trades careers and the realities of being a woman working in a male-dominated industry. Participants learned about the benefits of pursuing a career in a high-wage, high-demand field, as well as ready-responses to advocate for themselves in the workplace. 

Power Skills, as well as the program’s focus on the experiences of girls and gender-expansive youth, created a supportive environment for participants to explore new skills and connect with like-minded peers and female role models. At the end of the week, participants reflected that: 

  • “[The most valuable part of LIFT was] connecting with others because I’ve never really been able to spend time in a group specifically centered around people with similar identities to mine.”
  • “Everyone was so encouraging and kind even when mistakes were made.”
  • “I valued that this program was all women or people that identify as a woman because I felt more confident around women and I felt more heard.” 

Throughout the week of LIFT, each participant discovered new interests and strengths and found value in the opportunity to explore a variety of fields that are non-traditional for women.  

  • “[LIFT showed] me the fact that trades are possible for me.”
  • “My experience has helped me understand what different careers have to offer.”
  • “I’m capable to do things I thought men were only capable of.”
  • “[I learned] that you can do anything you set your mind to.” 

 

PARTICIPANT OUTCOMES

  • 100% reported an increased interest in trades and STEM careers  
  • 92% reported an increased sense of confidence 
  • 100% reported an increased connection with peers 
  • 92% agreed, “LIFT introduced me to new career options I had not considered before.” 
  • 100% agreed, “After LIFT I feel more confident that I can pursue any career I choose.” 
  • 92% agreed, “LIFT helped me feel more confident in myself and my abilities.”  
  • 92% agreed, “LIFT helped me connect with other high schoolers who have similar interests.” 

 

Each participant left LIFT with several projects they were proud of, new friendships, and an expanded sense of possibilities. Thank you to our incredible technical instructors Natalie, Erika, and Lexi for helping us create such an impactful program.

LIFT is funded by generous supporters including: Vermont Agency of Education, Town of Essex, and Agnes Lindsay Trust.

 

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