After visiting many building trade events where she saw mostly men, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said it was exciting to see a “sea of women” at the NABTU Tradeswomen Build Nations 2022 Conference.
She told the conference attendees that their determination, persistence and bravery to enter a field that had been dominated by men inspired her, according to an Oct. 29news release.
“In Rhode Island, they knew me as the Building Trades Governor. Now, I hope you’ll know me as the Building Trades Secretary,” Raimondo said, according to the release.
Raimondo said she recently visited the Chicago Women in Trades, where she received a bandana, according to the release. She brought the bandana with her.
“Like all of you, these are women who love doing their jobs – ironworkers, plumbers, carpenters. They take pride in their work,” she said in the release. They’ve got the skills, and they’ve got the drive. They’re working in the trades for the same reasons as men do: to better themselves, find stability, make decent pay and take care of their families.”
She asked the attendees if they agreed that manufacturers and large contractors should fund pre-apprenticeship initiatives like what is done at Chicago Women in Trades, the release reported. Onsite childcare was a suggestion for semiconductor companies that will get funds from the Commerce Department to set up multi-billion, multi-year projects.
