Rosie the Riveter is a symbolic icon — a woman who can do her part on the factory floor and keep the manufacturing industry going.

She’s got a growing number of real-life counterparts in the U.S. Here in the metro area, Central New Mexico Community College wants to make local women aware of careers in the trades — including welding, plumbing, carpentering and more. 

CNM is hosting its third annual Women in Trades Summit on March 22. The event will include industry experts, guest speakers, and activities.

Students, staff, faculty, and community members are invited to learn about the different career pathways.

Women finding their way into the field

Employment of women in the skilled trades reached its highest level ever — 314,000 — in 2021, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The number of female apprentices more than doubled from 2014 to 2022, with women making up 14% of total apprentices in the U.S. compared to 9.4% in 2014, according to the labor department.

“This event is a great way to create a pipeline of women entering the skilled trades,” said Sharon Gordon-Moffit, CNM’s interim dean of the School of Skilled Trades and Arts. “There’s a nationwide shortage of skilled tradespeople, making this the perfect opportunity for women to explore their options in these high-paying, in-demand industries.”

About the summit

More than 200 people have already registered to attend this year’s summit, and over 30 local employers will have information booths, according to a CNM news release.

Angie Simon, executive director and co-founder of Heavy Metal Summer Experience, is the keynote speaker. HMSE conducts camps that provide hands-on exposure to the sheet metal, piping, and plumbing trades. Students work alongside professionals and tour active job and training sites.

Other activities at the summit include a panel featuring female leaders in the trades, “speed-dating” opportunities with various CNM trade programs, a resource fair, and hands-on welding, automotive, and public safety demonstrations. 

There will also be opportunities throughout the day for students to earn scholarships. 

“We’re so excited to be offering five different scholarships students can apply for during the event this year,” Gordon-Moffit said. “Our hope is that this will help jump-start careers in the skilled trades and encourage even more people to attend.”

She said the goal of the summit is to inspire confidence and empower women to enter into the trades.

“Too often there is a negative perception of women pursuing trades-based careers, and we want to change that story,” Gordon-Moffit said. “The career options are essentially endless, and the trades can help women who are looking to change or start careers – and even those who want to own their own (businesses) – take the first step in changing their lives.”

Talking money

Forbes reports that jobs in the trades offer high wages, attractive benefits and opportunities for advancement. Because of standardized union salary packages, Forbes wrote, the construction industry has one of the smallest gender pay gaps across all sectors. Women in construction make about 95% of what male workers are paid, compared to an average of 81% across the workforce, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The BLS says that in 2022, carpenters earned a median yearly salary of $51,390, electricians $60,240, metal fabricators $47,200, and plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters $60,090.

The Women in Trades Summit will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Smith Brasher Hall on the main campus, 717 University Blvd SE.