The Essential Role of Flexibility for Women in Manufacturing
Having dedicated 23 years to the manufacturing sector, I have witnessed firsthand how flexibility has become critical in shaping the workforce’s future, particularly for women.
Over the past two decades, the landscape of work has evolved, driven by technological advancements, the impact of the pandemic, and changing corporate attitudes. This transformation is particularly important for women in manufacturing, who often juggle professional and personal responsibilities. Understanding and implementing flexible work arrangements is not just a benefit but a necessity for attracting and retaining talented women in this industry.
A new era of work
Technological advancements have played a pivotal role in increasing flexibility for all employees. Not long ago, working remotely seemed out of reach. Today, thanks to innovations such as cloud computing, mobile technology, and advanced communication tools, employees can work virtually anywhere, maintaining productivity outside the traditional office.
The COVID-19 pandemic, despite its many challenges, accelerated the acceptance and implementation of flexible work arrangements. Manufacturing, traditionally seen as a rigid industry, adapted out of necessity. The pandemic demonstrated that many roles, including frontline positions, could be performed with a degree of flexibility previously thought impossible.
Flexibility is not just a trend; it is imperative for the future of manufacturing. By embracing flexibility, companies can create a more inclusive, diverse, and productive workforce, ensuring that talented individuals, regardless of their personal responsibilities, can contribute to and thrive in the manufacturing industry.
Written by Allison Grealis, Founder and President, Women in Manufacturing Association
The Pipeline for Women in Plumbing: From Apprenticeship to Master Plumber
Have you ever considered embarking on a new career that’s unique and incredibly rewarding? The trades, including plumbing, are full of opportunities, especially for women ready to step in and excel.
Imagine breaking the mold in a field traditionally dominated by men. Organizations like Women in Plumbing and Piping (WiPP) are advocating for increased female representation and providing resources to support women from the start of an apprenticeship program, all the way through becoming a master plumber.
Breaking stereotypes and building careers
The need for gender diversity in the trades has never been more critical. The industry is facing a labor shortage coupled with an aging workforce, and there’s an increasing demand for skilled professionals. Women bring fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and a unique approach to problem-solving.
Empowering women to enter and advance in fields like plumbing is crucial — not only to address labor shortages, but also to enrich the work environment and improve service quality. Plumbing is a career that requires skill, precision, and resilience, which are qualities that women possess in abundance.
Opportunities and support systems
Women in Plumbing and Piping (WiPP) is an invaluable resource for women at all stages of their plumbing careers. Offering mentorship programs, networking opportunities, scholarships, and workshops, WiPP equips women with the skills and confidence needed to succeed. Connecting aspiring plumbers with experienced mentors is an essential part of this process.
WiPP launched its mentorship program this year, with dozens of women participating. This mentoring framework is structured to help retain women in the trade and provide systems for them to advance and thrive.
Lori Tschohl, WiPP advisor, exemplifies the heights women can reach in the trades. Tschohl started in the HVAC field and built Eagle Pipe & Mechanical into a successful HVAC company through hard work and dedication. Her success as a leader in the HVAC industry was so significant that she expanded the company to offer plumbing services, showcasing her ability to excel in both the HVAC and plumbing industries.
“Do not be afraid to push boundaries and break stereotypes,” Tschohl said. “Plumbing, like any other profession, is about skill, dedication, and passion. Your determination will pave the way not just for you but for future generations of women in the trade.”
The broader impact
Encouraging women to pursue careers in plumbing has benefits that extend beyond the industry itself. It challenges societal norms and breaks down barriers, showing young girls that they can succeed in any field they choose. Women in plumbing serve as role models, inspiring future generations to explore careers in the trades.
Moreover, a more diverse plumbing workforce leads to better service for customers. Women plumbers often bring a unique perspective to their work, addressing the needs of female clients more effectively and fostering trust and comfort in their interactions.
By embracing the trades, women can break stereotypes, lead with innovation, and build a diverse and dynamic workforce that benefits everyone. It’s time to seize these opportunities, empower ourselves, and pave the way for the next generation of women in plumbing.
Written by Women in Plumbing and Piping (WiPP)
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Empowering Women in Skilled Trades: Oatey and WiPP
Lead the Charge
A significant movement is taking root in the world of skilled trades, dedicated to empowering women in industries traditionally dominated by men.
At the heart of this movement is Women in Plumbing and Piping (WiPP), an organization dedicated to empowering women in these fields. In a recent appearance on Oatey’s “The Fix” podcast, which highlights organizations and individuals who are helping grow the trades talent pipeline, Lori Tschohl, co-founder of WiPP, shared the organization’s vision and the critical role brands like Oatey play in fostering this change.
Broadening horizons and breaking barriers
Increasing women’s presence in skilled trades is not just a social imperative but a business necessity. The industry faces a significant talent shortage, and tapping into a diverse pool of candidates can help address this gap. WiPP’s efforts to place women onstage at championship events, like the Elite Trades Championship Series, and in prominent roles within the industry aim to normalize their presence and showcase their capabilities, encouraging more women to join the sector.
“When you have a woman up onstage at the Elite Championship and all the women are there cheering her on, that makes a difference,” Tschohl said. “These visible successes can foster a sense of belonging and aspiration among newcomers, reinforcing the idea that skilled trades offer fulfilling and lucrative career paths for women.
Mentorship also plays a pivotal role in WiPP’s strategy, and Tschohl emphasizes
the need for approachable, dependable mentors. “If I’m under a sink and I can’t figure something out, I’m going to call my buddy,” she said. “These women have to be able to feel that same way — that they can call someone and not feel like this is a dumb question. Whenever they walk into a room, they need to see a face they can gravitate to.”
Brands as catalysts for change Oatey, an industry-leading provider of plumbing products and a founding sponsor of WiPP, epitomizes the critical influence brands can have on increasing women’s participation in the skilled trades. The company’s dedication to backing initiatives that create accessible spaces for women demonstrates its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.
Oatey’s mission aligns seamlessly with WiPP’s values, focusing on mentoring, networking, education, and recognition. In 2022, Oatey launched their podcast “The Fix” which has since turned into a broader initiative that aims to shed light on the significance of the skilled trades and elevate the voices of thought leaders and influential organizations that share a commitment to educating, inspiring, and empowering the next generation of trade professionals.
“Each episode of ‘The Fix’ is much more than a conversation — it’s a connection and a commitment from Oatey to take action in supporting the pipeline of skilled trades talent,” says Katherine Lehtinen, senior vice president of
marketing at Oatey and co-host of “The Fix.” “We are very intentional in following up with each of our guests to explore further partnerships, such as financial contributions, training support, in-person collaborations, and beyond.”
In addition to financially supporting organizations that advance the trades, such as WiPP, the Oatey team frequently participates in-person events to carry the conversion forward with young people and women looking to pursue careers in the trades.
For example, Oatey is heavily involved with the She Built Foundation, whose children’s book “The House That She Built” has inspired a Girl Scouts patch, and Oatey often hosts area Girl Scout troops at its training center to complete required badge activities. In addition, Oatey regularly exhibits at industry events — like Build My Future and The Big Build — that showcase careers in the trades to young people around the country.
By providing resources and platforms for women in the trades to connect and grow, both WiPP and Oatey aim to dismantle barriers and create a more inclusive skilled trades environment.
For women considering a career in piping and plumbing, the future is promising. With the backing of strong communities like WiPP and supportive brands like Oatey, the way is paved for women in the trades to break barriers and thrive.
Written by Taylor Rice
INTERVIEW WITH Lori Tschohl Co-Founder, Women in Plumbing and Piping (WiPP)
INTERVIEW WITH Katherine Lehtinen Senior Vice President of Marketing, Oatey; Co-Host, “The Fix” Podcast; Board Member, She Built Foundation
Inspiring Girls to Embrace Careers in the Trades
The founder of Tools & Tiaras Inc., a nonprofit that teaches young girls about skilled trades, shares her mission to empower girls to embrace all available career pathways.
What were some of the challenges you faced as one of the first women in your industry?
The first time I went to the job site, the foreman didn’t believe I was a plumber. When I pulled up in my truck, I looked tall because I always had my seat jacked all the way up with a cushion. I looked tall until I pressed that button to come down. I noticed the men looking at me. I approached them and said I was the plumber, and they told me to leave. I refused and told him, “I can work today because I’m already here, and if it doesn’t work out, you don’t have to pay me.” Of course, he decided to bet against me, and he ended up liking me and my work.
What is the most important message you want girls and women to take away from your story?
I want them to take away the fact that if they can build it with their hands, they can do anything. Challenges give you the foundation to know that you can, you will, and you must believe that you can. To any woman or girl interested in the trades: Put your whole heart into it. Learn your craft. Become a master at it. There are going to be ups and downs, but that is true in any job. Know that once you believe you can do it, you can.
Mina Starsiak Hawk on the Power of Self-Confidence for Women in Construction
The host of HGTV’s “Good Bones” and co-founder of Two Chicks and a Hammer shares her advice for women in the home construction industry.
When did your interest in home renovation and construction begin, and was there a specific moment or experience that sparked your passion? You know, I never really thought about this until I had the show. Looking back, my dad’s a doctor and my mom is an attorney. It’s not like they were super handy people. My mom’s second husband always had a project going on that he was doing, so I was around it, then when I went to college, I started working for this landlord.
At first, I was a secretary, and then my sophomore year, I moved into one of his houses and they had me doing move-in and move-out inspections, so I would schedule stuff for the maintenance man.
The house originally was one house, but the previous tenants had divided it into an upstairs and a downstairs unit with wood paneling. I asked my landlord if I could take it out, and he was like, “Yeah, I don’t see why not.” I got a hammer and pried off this very poorly installed 4x8 sheet of OSB, and there was this beautiful original wood handrail they had closed to separate it. That was my first project, and I just kept at it. I continued working for him for the rest of my college career, and just got more familiar with property management.
When I graduated, all my friends already had jobs lined up. I did not. So, I decided I wanted to buy a house. I bought an unlivable house for $37,000, and my mom and I just did all the things that we could afford to have done.
As a successful woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, what advice would you give to other women aspiring to enter the world of construction?
Not everyone is going to make your journey easy. The most important thing is having a good sense of self. Learn everything you can, and know enough to be dangerous. People might doubt your knowledge or have trouble taking direction from a woman, but it’s important that the men you work with respect you.
How do you think women’s mentorship impacts a successful career?
I think it’s huge. It’s nice to have someone you can empathize with and that can empathize with you. I try and answer women as much as possible and give them the advice they’re looking for, because it is tough. I think just giving other women experience in the field is so important for a successful career as well. I would love to work on a team of all women! We are incredible multitaskers and great listeners. I’ve been able to meet a lot of really strong women who are in the industry, and it is really inspiring.
Are there any skills or qualities that have led to success within your field?
I think a strong sense of self and having self-confidence — but also remaining humble. Know what you have to offer and can bring to the table. You need to have the ability to learn and the desire to share what you have learned with others.
I have also found that part of success is understanding the process and being able to predict and expedite your processes. I think this is important in a lot of fields, but particularly in construction and the skilled trades. There are so many moving parts and there’s an order of operations that leads to desirable outcomes.
Mina Starsiak Hawk | Photo courtesy of Two Chicks and a Hammer
INTERVIEW WITH Judaline Cassidy Founder, Tools & Tiaras Inc.
Blazing Her Own Trail While Honoring Her Family’s Legacy at Verizon
As a child, Erin Reardon was inspired by her father’s 38-year field operations career at Verizon. Today, she’s forging her own path as a local manager.
Growing up, Erin Reardon remembers seeing her dad come home from work, proudly sporting his steel-toe boots and Verizon shirt after a day in the field. Erin’s father has been with the company for 38 years — and his daughter eagerly followed in his footsteps.
“I feel like I grew up in the company,” Erin said. “I’ve always been passionate about Verizon, so being able to come in and have that shared experience with my dad has been amazing.”
Empowering her team
Today, Erin is a local manager of network operations, leading a team of Verizon Fios technicians who install, maintain, and troubleshoot our network. A day in her life involves performing safety quality inspections, ensuring customer satisfaction, and removing any challenges that would prevent her team from delivering the best service. Her biggest goal as a leader is to empower her team to succeed.
“As field technicians, our goal is to get our customers’ service running smoothly with the best quality,” Erin shared. “Verizon is the place to be for a career in the field because no two days are ever the same — there are always new experiences that help you learn and thrive.”
Her journey to Verizon’s Field Operations team included a variety of support and training, from pole climbing and ladder safety to leadership training. Mentors across the company have also played an integral role in
professional development,
Erin mold her leadership style and understand how she can best support her team.
“I’m five years into the company and it’s been an awesome experience. I’ve learned so much, honed my leadership capabilities, and I feel really proud of the work that I’ve been able to do,” she shared.
Looking ahead
What’s next for Erin? Continuing to move her career forward by pursuing a master’s degree, courtesy of Verizon’s tuition assistance benefit that provides employees with up to $8,000 annually for education. For Erin, benefits like this, along with the network of people she has met at Verizon, have been invaluable in her career journey.
“I’ve been fortunate to meet a diverse group of people who have been supportive. They’ve pushed me to be the best I can be in my role,” she shared. “Your network is huge in this company, so introduce yourself to as many people as you can across a wide variety of departments — understand their roles.
Know how you can help them and how they can help you.”
Field operations is the backbone of our business. Erin’s advice for other women who are looking to get into this field? Don’t be discouraged. Jump in and do it — because you can do it.
Connecting, maintaining, and troubleshooting — it’s all in a day’s work. From fleet mechanics to field technicians and beyond, the V Team is the place to be if you’re looking for a career in the field.
Written by Katherine Segovia, Communications ConsultantRecruitment Marketing, Verizon
Want to learn more about Field Operations careers at Verizon? Join our Talent Network to stay up-to-date on job openings and exciting news from the V Team Life.
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Erin Reardon | Photo courtesy of David Teng Photography
Advocating for Women’s Mental Health in the Trade Force
The construction industry, historically dominated by men, is seeing women’s participation gradually rise. However, considerable challenges persist, particularly in addressing mental health and achieving workplace equity.
As reported by the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), women comprise approximately 11% of the construction workforce, with tradeswomen making up 3% of this total. Despite this recent growth, women in construction face unique mental health challenges. A 2021 CPWR study revealed that female construction workers experience significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their male counterparts. Specifically, 34.7% of women reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, compared to 13.4% of men.
Industry support systems
Unionized workplaces often offer better support systems and job security compared to non-union settings, which are crucial for women’s mental wellness within the trades. These benefits are emphasized by initiatives like Lean In’s Circles for Union Tradeswomen.
The program was created in partnership with North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), AFL-CIO, and Build Together. It hosts small online groups for tradeswomen, highlighting trades unions as essential networks that provide mentorship, legal resources, support in addressing workplace bias, and advocacy for healthier work conditions.
Areas for improvement
Despite progress, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding mental health. The CPWR’s January 2022 Mental Health Data Bulletin underscored heightened anxiety and depression among female construction workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Robust mental health support systems, including Toolbox Talks and hazard alerts by CPWR, are essential for raising awareness and providing necessary assistance.
Building solutions
While these organizations are actively working
to improve mental health conditions for tradeswomen, the construction industry as a whole still has significant progress to make in enhancing overall conditions. Administering the following action items could acutely improve the current landscape:
• Regular mental health training sessions
• Access to counseling services
• Establishment of peer support networks
• Tailored substance abuse prevention and treatment programs for women in the trades
• Expansion of mentorship programs like Lean In’s Circles for Union Tradeswomen
• Advocacy for industry-wide policies promoting diversity, equal pay, robust anti-harassment measures, and improved working conditions
Written By Allison Balanc, Digital and Marketing Strategy Manager, TradesFutures
Investing in workforce training just makes sense.
Ancora Training is here to help women further their careers!
Ancora Training is one of the nation’s leading providers of workforce development training, specializing in corporate upskilling and reskilling programs. As a member of Women in Trucking (WIT), we are privileged to connect women with meaningful education to further their careers in the skilled trades.
Trades in Trucking Offer New Careers for Women
In a rapidly changing job market, women looking to change careers have more options when deciding on the next phase of their professional lives — particularly in trade careers traditionally thought to be male-dominated. Despite low numbers of women in male-populated skilled trades, there is a higher demand for them as an untapped pool of talent.
In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in trade jobs will grow by 8.4 million jobs in 2024 — with such jobs presenting promise for women in terms of compensation, lifestyle, and job satisfaction. One industry that has a healthy amount of rewarding trade jobs is trucking, according to Jennifer Hedrick, CAE, president and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association.
“The trucking industry offers women many rewarding career paths in the trades, including professional truck drivers, diesel mechanics, dock workers and forklift operators,” she said. “Being part of the transportation industry is exciting because it has a massive impact on the U.S. economy, and those in the industry play a critical role to our society.”
In fact, transportation services contributed $1.7 trillion (6.7%) to an enhanced U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) of $26.2 trillion in 2022, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ Transportation Satellite Accounts.
Behind the wheel: truck drivers
One career path in trucking that has been gaining traction with women in recent years is professional truck driving. There are many reasons why women are candidates to be quality, reliable, efficient, and safe professional truck drivers.
Women typically are less likely to take risks and therefore can be safer drivers. In addition, women generally possess strong multitasking and organization skills, are strong communicators, and usually are patient, focused, and reliable.
In fact, the Women In Trucking Association routinely publishes its WIT Index, which is the industry barometer that regularly benchmarks and measures the percentage of women who make up critical roles in transportation. According to the WIT Index (2024-25), women currently account for about 9.5% of all professional drivers who hold CDLs.
April Crysel illustrates the many opportunities for female truck drivers. Crysel started her career at Maverick Transportation hauling flat glass on a flatbed truck to 48 states and Canada at the age of 45, after her factory job went to another country.
“There’s never a shortage of opportunities in trucking,” said Crysel, who has also driven a box truck, flatbed, double trailers, a refrigerated tanker, containers, and dump beds for other companies.
Crysel has also worked as a safety manager and dispatcher.
Under the hood: diesel technicians
One of the trucking industry’s major concerns is the widely reported shortage of professional truck drivers. But drivers
cannot deliver their freight when their trucks are in the shop or broken down on the side of the road — whether it is caused by a problem with the engine aftertreatment system, an electrical issue, or perhaps a problem with the truck’s brakes. That’s why skilled truck maintenance technicians are so important.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, technicians are in high demand across the United States, with approximately 242,200 technicians employed. And unfortunately, there is a severe shortage of technicians. In fact, the industry will need about 200,000 technicians over the next 10 years just to keep up with current truck maintenance demands, according to some industry observers.
Unfortunately, U.S. technical schools are training only about 3,500 diesel technicians each year. According to the WIT Index (2024-25), participating organizations report that, on average, just 4% of their overall technicians are female.
Keelie Boyer is a truck maintenance and truck prep technician with Wilson Logistics, where she’s responsible for prepping trucks and completing truck inspections, balancing tires, and other mechanic duties. “In this role, you will always learn and discover new things every day, especially with evolving technologies involving trucks.”
WRITTEN BY Brian Everett Group Editorial Director, Women In Trucking Association
INTERVIEW WITH Jennifer Hedrick CAE, President and CEO, Women In Trucking Association
