WV Women Work is Recruiting for a Tuition Free Manufacturing Class

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Nov. 8, 2016 - PRLog -- West Virginia Women Work, Inc (WVWW) is once again recruiting for their Step Up for Women Advanced Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship. Their first Step Up class finished in August. Twelve students graduated, and nine of those women had full time jobs by graduation. They make an average of $11.30/hr with benefits. The second class is scheduled for January 4 – March 24 every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am – 5pm.

Students in this program learn high-tech manufacturing and machining from skilled instructors with years of industry experience. The program coordinator, Melinda Perron, trains the students in career "soft skills" including budgeting, interviewing, and resume writing. The program charges no tuition and provides steel toe boots, books, and other supplies free of charge.

Though the manufacturing program has only existed since February 2016, WVWW has been training women in construction and the skilled trades for fifteen years. Classes have a hiring rate of 80% or higher, and most graduates are able to get off government support quickly.

Summer 2016 graduate Rachel Maynard lost her job due to corporate cutbacks a year before starting the Step Up program. "I am a certified phlebotomist, licensed nail technician, and have a degree in business," Maynard says, "In all the time since I lost that job I have not been able to find a new job that would pay the bills. After almost a year of being turn down, I was hired at one of the first places I applied. Even better than that, my kids are proud of me." Though Maynard has student loan debt from her previous training, she landed her job with no new debt thanks to the grants and donations that make WVWW's programs possible.

Women of all ages and from all locations are invited to apply. "If you can travel to the class and you want an apprenticeship or entry level job, I'll consider your application," says Perron. Applications and a list of eligibility guidelines are available at http://wvwomenwork.org/stepupamp or by phone at (304) 528-9991.