Empower Your Future: Elevate Your Skills with West Virginia’s Top Trades Pre-apprenticeship Program

Step Up for Women Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Locations: 201 New Jersey Street, Morgantown, WV 26501 & 3601 James Street, Charleston, WV 25387

At SUFW, we pride ourselves on being the only Department of Labor recognized quality pre-apprenticeship program in West Virginia. Dive deep into the world of carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and welding(depending on location) with our comprehensive 12-week training sessions. Here, you’re not just learning – you’re immersing yourself in the heart of the trades, guided by industry experts every step of the way.

A Holistic Approach to Career Readiness

Along with hands-on training in the basics of carpentry, electrical, and plumbing through real-world projects, we prepare you for every facet of the job market. From crafting impactful resumes and sharpening interview skills to mastering financial literacy and effective communication, we set you up for success.

Discover the Dynamic World of Trades

Engage with our vast network, including alumni in non-traditional roles, union leaders, and professionals from top commercial and residential firms. Our curated field trips to active construction sites and leading apprenticeship centers offer invaluable insights, setting you on a path to success.

Certifications That Elevate Your Profile

Stand out with our value-added certifications. By the end of your journey with us, you’ll have the OSHA 10 construction safety card, Plumber in Training license, HVAC Trainee license, First Aid/CPR/AED certification, and a Forklift certification in hand.

Affordable, Accessible, and All-Inclusive

We believe in making quality education accessible. Thanks to the generous support of our grants, donors, and scholarships, our 12-week program is completely free for all students. Plus, to ease your commute, we offer mileage reimbursement, ensuring you can focus on what truly matters – mastering the trades.

Join West Virginia’s Leading Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Ready to transform your career and embrace a rewarding future in the trades?

SUFW students on a site tour at Service Wire.
Pre-apprenticeship skilled trades training
received_582594170306300
welding (1)
  • We have 20 years of experience in training women for nontraditional trades.
  • We work with graduates until they are employed, no matter how long it takes. We want you to enter a new career, not just get another job.
  • Our program is tuition-free through funding and scholarships.
  • Potential to earn between $13 – $20 an hour as an entry-level employee after graduating from our program. Many of these jobs also offer benefits and additional on-the-job & classroom training.
  • Hands-On-Training:
    Students cycle through training in Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, & Welding. We believe in teaching students by having them do the work and not just watching.
  • Women’s Career Readiness:
    Our students learn the essential skills to prepare, find, and keep a job. These skills include: resume writing, interviewing, job hunting techniques, effective communication, budgeting & credit, and a basic math skills refresher.
  • Trades Exploration/Industry Overviews:
    While attending the Step Up program you will be able to explore different trades and career paths. Students will have the opportunity to meet with former graduates that are working in nontraditional jobs, meet representatives from unions, commercial & residential companies, and take field trips to different construction sites and apprenticeship training centers.
  • Certifications/License:
    During the Step Up Program students can attain the following: OSHA 10 construction safety card, Plumbers Apprentice license, HVAC Trainee license, First Aid/CPR, & Forklift certification.

The Step Up for Women Construction program is 12 weeks long. This allows you to begin your new nontraditional career as soon as possible. Class times are Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM with instructor and Fridays are independent study days where students are expected to work on resumes, math, requirements to graduate assignments, and job shadows. Classes will begin in the Spring and Fall. Courses can fill up fast, it is recommended applicants apply well in advance of a class start date.

For more information about our programs, visit our FAQ page, or email: info@wvwomenwork.org.

Skip to content