Welcome to the Workshop: A Look Behind the Scenes Through the BuildHER Impact Series

On January 18, the She Built This City team welcomed visitors from all around to our brand new workspace! As part of the BuildHER Impact Series, a quarterly event designed to build community with our supporters, collaborate with new partners, and showcase all that we've been up to, the open house event provided a firsthand look at the expansive space designed for hands-on learning and collaboration. The event also gave attendees the opportunity to connect with the passionate SBTC team and learn about our commitment to bring women and girls into the skilled trades through community builds, youth programming, adult workforce development, and more. As Marketing Manager Kim Lindstrom said, “the BuildHER series plays a pivotal role in strengthening existing relationships and fostering new connections.”

Current and Future Initiatives

The first presentation that visitors were invited to join provided an overview of our current and future initiatives. From family-friendly build days to our apprenticeship programs, SBTC is able to reach women and girls of all ages and skill levels to spark interest in hands-on learning, build confidence in their abilities, and equip them with the necessary skills to choose their path in the trades.

One recent development highlighted in this discussion regarded our offerings for high schoolers. Recently, we have adapted our nine-week Tour of the Trades pre-apprenticeship to fill an entire school semester - allowing for more time and in-depth training that could spark creativity and introduce them to alternate educational paths following their graduation. Students will receive real credit for our course, alongside a mountain of knowledge and confidence in their own abilities.

Further discussions were held regarding younger learners, corporate partnerships, volunteerism, and future offerings for women who wish to pick up new building and DIY skills outside of their existing careers or home lives. Overall, the expansion and refining of our services marks an exciting time for SBTC. Lindstrom claims this growth is “incredibly motivating,” noting that “the ability to offer more comprehensive and diverse services through our various initiatives indicates a growing influence and effectiveness in achieving our mission.”

Workforce Development Efforts

Our tour also included an in-depth look into our apprenticeship programs, including first-hand accounts from real apprentices.

In our nine-week pre-apprenticeship, students gain a wide array of knowledge that will prepare them for their journey ahead. Carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, and general construction skills are all part of the curriculum - allowing for a thorough introduction to various trades and helping students discover which path they'd like to pursue. Alongside the practical skills learned, completion of this pre-apprenticeship also grants a pre-apprenticeship certification, OSHA-10 certification, and CPR and First Aid training. In 2024, we plan to train three cohorts with various location, time, and language (English and Spanish) options.

In addition to our pre-apprenticeship, we also offer a two-year facility maintenance full apprenticeship. Graduates from our facility maintenance apprenticeship jumpstart their careers with not just practical knowledge, but also with important certifications, interpersonal skills, and business-literacy skills. Leaving the course with their OSHA-10, CPR and First Aid training, LEED certification, lift certification, preconstruction skills, and more, we've designed this apprenticeship to prepare our graduates with a well-rounded set of skills that will greatly assist them in their job search.

Towards the conclusion of our apprenticeships, we also provide interviewing assistance and job matching in partnership with our various corporate supporters, further underscoring the importance of strengthening our community and expanding our reach.

What's Next for SBTC

Finally, visitors were informed of the upcoming She Built This City Change Makers Conference set for March. Lindstrom has identified this event as an important milestone for SBTC - one that will “further establish our role as a key player in the industry and community.” An expansion of previous years' Change Makers Luncheon, Lindstrom expressed that the conference will "serve as a dynamic platform for engagement, showcasing our achievements, and setting the stage for future collaborations." With three days full of fun activities, thought-provoking discussions, and honoring Change Makers in our space, this event will further assert SBTC as a "beacon for change and innovation in the community."

From spreading awareness of our services to building partnerships, events like the BuildHER Impact Series and the upcoming Change Makers Conference are crucial to our mission. As Lindstrom put it, "Regular interaction and open communication through these events are essential for sustainable growth and community involvement."

Additionally, to our amazing supporters, we thank you for the aid that you provide through donations, resources, volunteering, and sharing our stories. Through your contributions, SBTC is able to host the BuildHER Impact Series and similar events, create community within this space, and serve the underserved minorities in the industry - instilling within all of us that it is United We Spark!