Up First from NPR Women in the Skilled Trades Face New Hurdles
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Feb 1, 2026 
Andrea Hsu, NPR labor and workplace correspondent who covers employment and workplace issues, reports on women in the construction trades. She visits a large tradeswomen conference and describes apprenticeship paths that bring women into skilled work. She covers training programs, wage equity, unions’ protections, and how recent policy rollbacks threaten hard-won gains for women in trades.
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Mass Tradeswomen Parade In Chicago
- Andrea Hsu describes a mile-long parade of about 5,000 tradeswomen at a Chicago conference, showing energy and solidarity.
- The event highlights electricians, plumbers, roofers, and other women tradespeople marching, chanting, and supporting each other.
Apprenticeship Journey At Local 130
- Andrea Hsu recounts meeting female plumbing apprentices at Local 130 and their five-year earn-as-you-learn path to licensure.
- Apprentices shared early mishaps and hands-on mentoring as central parts of their training journey.
Trades Offer Family-Sustaining Wages
- Chicago Women in Trades uses federal funding to train women and connect them with unions and contractors.
- Union trades offer family-sustaining wages that can meaningfully advance gender equity.