Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District > District News > Women gaining greater foothold in construction; BKW junior building her pathway to career
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Women gaining greater foothold in construction; BKW junior building her pathway to career

Editor’s note: This article is published with the cooperation of Capital Region BOCES’ Career & Technical Education.

The national Women in the Trades initiative, designed to increase the number of women in the skilled trades, is showing promise among this year’s new class of juniors now attending Capital Region BOCES’ Career & Technical Center programs. 

Several young women enrolled in the Electrical Trades, Automotive, Construction/Heavy Equipment, Manufacturing and other programs this school year say they are enjoying challenging perceptions by pursuing nontraditional careers they are passionate about. 

Many of them are planning for careers in the construction industry.

Katelyn Burtt, a junior who is attending the Construction/Heavy Equipment program from Berne-Knox-Westerlo (Ms. Burtt is located at the far right in this image).
Katelyn Burtt, a junior who is attending the Construction/Heavy Equipment program from Berne-Knox-Westerlo (Ms. Burtt is located at the far right in this image).

“I grew up riding on the equipment and my father is in the industry and he wants to get me into the union when I graduate,” added Katelyn Burtt, a junior who is attending the Construction/Heavy Equipment program from Berne-Knox-Westerlo. “This is the only program I had an interest in.”

For many of the students, enrolling in the programs is about building a solid foundation for a rewarding career—no matter the stereotype assigned to those careers.

Currently, just 10.9 percent of the construction industry’s workforce identify as women and an even smaller percentage of women–just 1%–are on the front lines of a job site, according to a 2022 article published by BizRent.com.

But, these facts haven’t deterred Capital Region BOCES students interested in building careers in those industries. In fact, you could say they have put “a charge” in their learning. 

Capital Region BOCES Senior Business Liaison Nancy Liddle said she is proud of the work of the students.

“We are proud to help such trailblazers achieve their dreams as they enter the trades in non-traditional career paths,” she said.

Capital Region BOCES’ Career & Technical Education has long offered such opportunities for all students in the field of construction and many others. Learn more about these programs at https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/