Breaking Ground — Celebrating the Inaugural “She Builds Construction” Cohort
At the National Skilled Trades Network (NSTN), we are committed to diversifying the job site and ensuring that the high-earning potential of the construction industry is accessible to everyone. Under the leadership of Executive Director Michelle Watts, we took a major step toward this goal in early 2025 with the launch of She Builds Construction, an all-women’s skilled trades program designed to empower a new generation of female builders.
Success by the Numbers: The First Cohort
The inaugural cohort of She Builds Construction consisted of six dedicated women who enrolled in the rigorous NCCER Core program. This foundational curriculum is the industry gold standard, covering everything from construction math and hand tools to safety and blueprint reading.
100% Graduation Rate: On May 17, 2025, all six women successfully completed the program, earning their industry-recognized NCCER credentials.
Immediate Economic Impact: Demonstrating the direct “classroom-to-career” pipeline that NSTN provides, 50% of the graduates (three of the six women) secured jobs in the skilled trades immediately following the program.
A Message from Executive Director Michelle Watts
“The success of these six women isn’t just a win for NSTN; it’s a win for the entire construction industry,” says Michelle Watts. “By providing a supportive, high-tech learning environment, we are proving that women are not just capable of entering the trades—they are ready to lead them”.
Why She Builds Construction Matters
This program is a powerful example of how targeted workforce development can solve both labor shortages and gender disparity in the workforce.
Closing the Gender Gap: Women currently make up only a small fraction of the construction workforce; She Builds Construction provides the safe, supportive environment necessary to bridge this gap.
Validated Results: A 100% completion rate followed by a 50% immediate placement rate is a significant metric for grant reviewers looking for high-performing non-profits.
Scalable Empowerment: This pilot proves that with the right resources, we can replicate this model across other trades like Electrical and Solar Installation, further increasing economic mobility for women in underserved communities.
Looking Ahead
The success of this first cohort is just the beginning. Michelle Watts and the NSTN team are already preparing for our next She Builds Construction intake, with plans to expand our reach and connect even more women with life-changing career opportunities.
Help us continue to build a more inclusive future for the trades.
