March 4, 2024

A myriad of opportunities for women in the trades

Passmore

When we think about women in the trades, one common visual is the allegorical cultural icon, Rosie the Riveter, who represented the women who worked in factories in the United States during World War II. At the time, with so many men going into battle, women were encouraged to take over the industry jobs that were left behind. This period in the history of the United States really opened the door to the possibilities and opportunities available to everyone — especially women — in skilled trades.

Today, opportunities for women in the trades are increasing by the day. What was once a male-dominated field is now seeing more and more women join, and businesses are eager to have them in their ranks. The skilled trades of plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling offer a solid career path and are essential to keeping our communities safe and healthy.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Photo from Harts Services [enlarge]

Harts Academy is a paid training and apprenticeship program for future tradespeople.

At the state and city levels, there are plenty of resources that can help women find their entry into the trades, including training and apprenticeship programs. Here at Harts, we host Harts Academy, a paid training and apprenticeship program that equips future tradespeople with the training and requisite practice hours they need to obtain their Washington state license.

During the three years required to earn a license, apprentices in the program participate in classroom learning, hands-on learning in a simulated environment, and on-the-job field training. Our apprentices assist and learn under our lead plumbers and electricians, helping to prepare jobs, securing the necessary parts and equipment for a jobsite, while working toward being able to complete jobs independently.

Once the apprenticeship is complete — they have accrued the state-required training hours and have passed the licensing exam — participants will go on to run plumbing and electrical jobs on their own.

POTENTIAL EARNINGS, BUSINESS POSSIBILITIES

Across Western Washington, skilled labor is in high demand and, as a result, can be a particularly lucrative career. Plumbers, electricians, and heating and cooling professionals can make well over $100,000 per year in service sales and installation. Along with the high earning potential, becoming a licensed trades professional ensures a stable, lifelong career.

The trades are a vital service that withstand economic, political and social changes. While many tradespeople choose to work for an established company and can often take their pick of where to work due to the extremely high demand, some prefer going out on their own, which offers infinite growth potential (if they are willing to accept the associated risks). The greater Seattle area is a competitive market in the home services industry, but with the right training, experience and drive, professionals in this industry have significant income potential.

FIELD AND NON-FIELD OPPORTUNITIES

While working as a skilled tradesperson is an excellent opportunity for women in the home services industry, there are also ample opportunities in support and leadership roles. Starting from the first point of contact, in the Puget Sound region, larger home services companies have a customer service department. These professionals play a critical role in the business as they receive all incoming inquiries — both over the phone and online — and book appointments. Their job is to do their best to fill the technicians’ schedules, allowing them to complete jobs and ensuring that everyone makes a sustainable living.

Next up is dispatch. At Harts, these teammates are responsible for ensuring that the right technician is deployed to the right project based on their strengths, areas of expertise and the location of the job. Our dispatchers also set expectations with our customers before the appointment and follow up with customers after the service is complete. We prioritize successful outcomes for our customers, and with the right person on the right job, we achieve just that.

Along with these two critical areas of expertise, there are additional support areas including install coordination, municipality liaison, warehouse management, accounting, marketing and operations. All of these service areas, including those tradespeople who work in the field, are critical to the success and growth of any company in the trades.

The perception of the trades as a “male-centric” industry is continually shifting as more and more women find themselves thriving in this career choice. For those who are willing to work hard, aren’t afraid to get dirty, and are interested in continuously learning, the trades offer women — and everyone — a stable career course, high income potential and unlimited opportunity for professional growth.

Jessica Passmore is COO of Harts Services.

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