Missouri Women in Trades (MoWIT) recently hosted a “Wire a Light Workday” held at the St. Louis Workers Education Society (WES). On June 8th, MoWIT worked with IBEW Local 1 to upgrade all of the lights at WES, where the MoWIT office is located.
Attendees were able to learn about the basics of electrical wiring by actually performing the tasks. IBEW Local 1 journey workers supervised the attendees closely. The journey workers also shared information on how to become a union electrician.
J. West Electrical Contracting, IBEW Local 1439, and the St. Louis Electrical Workers Minority Caucus were also partners in the event. Paynecrest Electric and Frost Supply donated all of the materials for the project. PARIC provided lunch to attendees.
Beth Barton, MoWIT President and Carpenters Local 1596 journeyman, was pleased with the event’s turnout.
“Four women signed up because they said they were interested in becoming an electrician,” Barton said. “I’m really excited about the opportunity for them to experience the trade in a safe and comfortable manner.”
Founded in 2008, MoWIT is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women enter and succeed in careers in the building trades. For more information, visit mowit.org.
View the full article by Sheri Gassaway in the Labor Tribune.