Graduation season is a wonderful moment to recognize and celebrate all the graduates that are making Michigan a better and more prosperous place. As they take their next steps toward a career through further education, an apprenticeship, or a combination of the two, the possibilities are boundless.
I recently spent some time with the Workforce Development Institute’s Project Accelerate program. This is an eight-week course that was developed to expose women to all levels and types of careers in the construction industry. The program can lead to an entry-level position in the industry, a pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship, a certification program, or entrepreneurship opportunities.
It can also lead to career advancement for those already working. For all participants, the program helps participants to build their networks while learning more about the industry and skills they may not have developed previously.
The curriculum is based on what participants in each cohort need. Time is evenly divided among three main sections: hands-on skills; education; and industry information. There are up to 30 key modules with 1-2 hours spent on topics such as carpentry, construction law, surveying, estimating, blueprint reading, etc. The program is industry-sponsored and supported by a plethora of collaborators including contractors, labor organizations, four-year colleges, and community colleges. There is no cost to participants.
Project Accelerate is in its 12th year in Michigan. Each cohort has 10-25 participants and is comprised of some individuals who are working in the field, some working in other fields, and some who are not working at all. More than 200 women have graduated since the program began. This year’s cohort is being sponsored by the Workforce Development Institute.
Growing Representation of Women in Construction
Rita Brown, President and CEO of Brown Construction Collective (BCC+), a steel detailing and industry-based business consultancy, founded the program using her experience to help “give women the confidence to take control of their own success.” She is the President of the Lansing Chapter of NAWIC – the National Association of Women in Construction and was also recently appointed to the State Transportation Commission by Governor Whitmer.
NAWIC has about 115 chapters around the country, four of which are in Michigan. Ms. Brown was formerly a regional director of the national organization. She believes representation will strengthen the industry and is working with NAWIC to increase participation among women from underrepresented populations.
Rita Brown with Susan Corbin, Director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and Naheed Huq from SEMCOG at the AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute Workers Gala in May. Project Accelerate was spotlighted for bringing women into the Skilled Trades.
This year’s cohort includes contractors and business owners, union officials and skilled tradespersons, workforce development professionals, and others working in the industry. I had a chance to talk to some of the participants at the Carpentry Day held at the state-of-the-art Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center in Detroit. I asked them why they joined the program and what they have gotten out of the experience.
Goals included:
- Growing knowledge of parts of the industry they were less familiar
- Fulfilling a lifelong interest or passion in construction
- Growing their professional networks
For many, the need to expand representation was also very important. Several participants had fathers, brothers or uncles in the trades so were able to leverage their knowledge and experience into fulfilling careers.
For several women, construction was their second, third… or fifth career choice, but all agree that the industry provides many different and diverse opportunities for women, including warehouse manager and assistant project manager. In fact, several members of this cohort work for Clark Construction Company, a family-owned contractor with offices across Michigan in these positions.
Project Accelerate participants in the classroom and hands-on learning at the MRCC.
Jolika Dumas owns a general construction company doing steel fabrication – with four employees. She knows skilled trades are not traditionally a woman’s field and wants to bring more women into the trades. She is also the current President of NAWIC – Detroit Chapter.
Tylene Henry, MBA owns a professional and business development company. She is also President of the National Association of Black Women in Construction. She works with organizations like MDOT and HBCUs to promote career opportunities and close gender gaps in the trades. She feels that women can be successful in construction regardless of their experience or education. She says, “You don’t need a degree, and can join at any time. It provides job security and opportunities to work on major projects with different companies in different positions.”
Traci Longenbarger had a long and diverse career before joining the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, where she currently serves as an organizer. Her past careers include security, water restoration, corrections officer, and corporate management across the US. She ended up in construction by chance. She took the Carpenters apprenticeship test at the age of 34 when she returned to Michigan and has not looked back. She loves the work, the projects, the income and independence it provides, as well as the people who helped her see the possibilities and supported her success.
2023 Detroit Cohort of Project Accelerate
I asked participants what advice they would give to women about careers in the construction industry – whether high school students or adults looking for a better career fit. There was a general feeling that the education system does not currently provide enough career exposure for non-college tracks. This makes it difficult for students who learn best through “hands-on learning.” They suggested:
- Schools need to bring back woodshop.
- Focus on introducing construction occupations in career days.
- Talk to high school students about the opportunities to take technical education classes and get essential certifications while still in school.
- Be authentic, get things done, and build your network.
- The construction industry has a fit for you.
- Make sure you get a return on your investment of time; you can’t lose out in the trades since you are getting compensated for learning
- Representation Matters – if you can see it, you can be it!
- You are the only one who can hold yourself back – See it, Claim it, and Slay it.
To support the new developments across the region, the Construction industry needs to build a strong, reliable, and robust workforce. Initiatives like Project Accelerate are innovative models for engaging women looking for a new career, progressing in the industry, or who want to learn more so they can be part of the solution to growing Michigan’s economy.
For more information on Project Accelerate, visit Michigan Workforce Development Institute’s website.
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