Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT)

Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) We welcome and encourage positive engagement across our social media platforms and believe in a supportive community.
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Established in 1981, Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) has been the leading advocate for women seeking to enter and thrive in nontraditional occupations, leading the charge for equal opportunity and advancement in industries historically dominated by men. Please read our community guidelines:
https://cwit.org/terms-of-use/ -media-community-guidelines

On Wednesday, Women Build Illinois students spent the day at the Finishing Trades Institute of DC 14 Chicago in Berkley,...
07/31/2026

On Wednesday, Women Build Illinois students spent the day at the Finishing Trades Institute of DC 14 Chicago in Berkley, IL.

During their visit, students learned proper brush-and-roll techniques and tried their hand at the sandblasting machine!

Thank you to all of the instructors and volunteers who took the time to teach our students about commercial painting, industrial painting, and drywall finishing.

If you're interested in learning more about the Women Build Illinois program, visit our website at: https://cwit.org/women-build-illinois/ to learn more.

Thank you to everyone who attended last night's in-person July Summer Open House event. We had a great time meeting all ...
07/30/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended last night's in-person July Summer Open House event. We had a great time meeting all of you, sharing more about the programs, and introducing you to our community of CWIT tradespeople, who were eager to answer all of your questions.

Thank you to all the tradespeople and volunteers who came out to talk to our guests and give them the information they need to take the next step toward their new careers.

If you couldn't make this event, no worries; there will be one more in-person open house on August 26th.

Location:
Chicago Women in Trades
2444 W. 16th St., Suite 3
Chicago, IL 60608

To RSVP, email CWIT Program Administrator, Ca’Ron King at [email protected]. Spots for these events are limited, so act fast!

07/29/2026

Our very own apprentice, Abbi Donovan, is featured in the latest version of the Journal. Abbi continues to lift those around her while adding to the standard of what makes up a good apprentice. Recognition well-deserved and for all of the female apprentices and recent graduates pictured as well!

You can read the latest version of the IUPAT Journal here:
https://www.iupat.org/journal/26Summer/

Yesterday was mock interview day for our Summer Women Build Illinois (WBI) class! Along with field trips, classroom work...
07/29/2026

Yesterday was mock interview day for our Summer Women Build Illinois (WBI) class! Along with field trips, classroom work, and hands-on training, it's important for students to work on their resumes and brush up on interview skills.

WBI students are interviewed by industry professionals who provide feedback on refining their resumes and developing their in-person interview skills, preparing them for the real thing. The first step towards a great career is a good first impression.

Thank you to all of the union leaders, partner organizations, and industry professionals who came to support these students on their journey towards a new career in construction!

UJAMAA Construction
LOWES
Aldridge Electric
CT Mechanical
Metra
Trane
Brookfield Zoo
Inherent L3C
Gilbane
Granite Construction
ATMI Precast
JLL
Power Construction
Bulley & Andrews
Turner Construction
Powers & Sons Construction
Pepper Construction
Cook County Facilities Management
Hill Group
Clune Construction
Nicor Gas
Sandi Llano & Associates, Inc.
Chicagoland Association of General Contractors
Chicago Housing Authority
Painters District Council 14
CISCO
IBEW Local 134
IUOE Local 150
Otis Elevator Company
Thorne Associates, Inc.

If our daytime pre-apprenticeship program catches your eye, be sure to visit: https://cwit.org/women-build-illinois/ to learn more.

Last Friday, eight recent CWIT graduates finished the Summer Solar program! The Summer Solar program is a free, two-week...
07/27/2026

Last Friday, eight recent CWIT graduates finished the Summer Solar program!

The Summer Solar program is a free, two-week class offered by the Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund (REF) and Local 134 IBEW to provide green energy career training to new trades professionals.

While in this program, students were taught proper solar installation, electrical safety, and how to work with renewable technology.

Join us in congratulating these CWIT alumni for completing the program and starting their journey towards becoming union electricians!

This week, our Women Build Illinois students spent a few days with the Local 63 Ironworkers. Students learned more about...
07/24/2026

This week, our Women Build Illinois students spent a few days with the Local 63 Ironworkers.

Students learned more about using a total station, cutting through steel, welding, ornamental detailing, and even got to try the fall simulation, which gave them a sense of what it's like to work at great heights.

Thank you to Iron Workers Local 63 for hosting us and showing our students more about your trade.

To learn more about our Women Build Illinois program field trips and curriculum, visit: https://cwit.org/women-build-illinois/

From the classroom to the welding shop, our Summer Women in Welding students have finished the trades math and OSHA 10 p...
07/23/2026

From the classroom to the welding shop, our Summer Women in Welding students have finished the trades math and OSHA 10 portion of their training and have started their hands-on training this week!

This week includes introductions to welding shop safety, tack welds, butt welds, T-joints, and more. Check out these pictures of our students getting started.

We look forward to seeing what they create this semester. Make sure to follow and like this post to stay up to date with their journey.

If becoming an expert welder is your next career move, let us help. Visit our website at: https://cwit.org/training/

highlights the reality behind the numbers: Black women must work into the following year to earn what non-Hispanic whi...
07/21/2026

highlights the reality behind the numbers: Black women must work into the following year to earn what non-Hispanic white men earned the year before.

With Black women earning approximately 65 cents on the dollar in full-time, year-round positions—and about 63 cents when all workers are included—the wage gap continues to impact economic security, wealth building, and opportunities for future generations. Today, we call on policymakers to strengthen workplace protections and create systems that promote equal pay, accountability, and opportunity.

From Monday through Wednesday, experienced tradeswomen carpenters came to CWIT to teach our Women Build Illinois (WBI) s...
07/17/2026

From Monday through Wednesday, experienced tradeswomen carpenters came to CWIT to teach our Women Build Illinois (WBI) students more about their careers. During the week, students learned how to properly tool prep, measure, frame, and more.

Thank you to all of the tradeswomen who took the time to come and teach these students some new skills.

If this FREE pre-apprenticeship program seems right for you, be sure to visit our website at: https://cwit.org/women-build-illinois/

Join us in welcoming our summer 2026 Women in Welding class.Our new students are ready to build hands-on skills for the ...
07/16/2026

Join us in welcoming our summer 2026 Women in Welding class.

Our new students are ready to build hands-on skills for the welding and manufacturing trades. To get a strong start, their first two weeks have focused on trades math measurements, and OSHA 10 training, with welding instructor Desiree Guzman and math instructor Miss Kitty.

Keep an eye out for updates as they transition from the classroom to the welding booth!

Interested in learning more about this program? Visit our website at https://cwit.org/training/ to learn more.

Address

2444 W. 16th Street Rear Of The Building, 3rd Fl
Chicago, IL
60608

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 3:30pm
Thursday 9am - 3:30pm
Friday 9am - 3:30pm

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