Tradeswomen, Inc.

Tradeswomen, Inc. (TWI) is a Bay Area non-profit organization that was established in 1979, with the mission of increasing the number of women working in the building trades and ensuring that they can thrive in their construction careers. TWI is a workforce development organization that is rapidly expanding and evolving into new territories.

Through the development of strong collaborative relationships with TWI’s partners, including local union representatives, cooperating employers, community-based organizations, workforce development programs and public agencies, TWI accomplishes its mission by concentrating on three key strategies:

1. Recruitment: Attract, recruit and train women from low-income communities to the building trade industry through community outreach, marketing, and apprenticeship opportunities. 
2. Retention: Provide the supportive services needed to enable women to stay in the trades, including mentoring, child care, support networks, and the elimination sexual harassment.
3. Leadership Development: Provide women with the skills to advance on the job and in their unions; create tradeswomen forums and partnerships to enact policy reforms that will enhance recruitment and retention.

TWI also believes apprenticeships and an expansive network of partnerships are critical in launching women into high-wage building trades careers.