Women in Skilled Trades receives MSU recognition for community impact

Each year, Michigan State University recognizes individuals, teams and units for the notable way they have aided in furthering diversity, equity and inclusion in teaching, research, programming, service, community outreach and organizational change. This year, Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) was awarded the Excellence in Diversity Equity and Inclusion Award.

WIST is an apprenticeship readiness program for women who want help to get into the construction skilled trades industry. WIST’s goal is to help uplift women from the community into a career where they can earn a living wage and have great benefits and a pension. The women accepted into the WIST program receive 16 weeks of training, giving them an advantage over other applicants in skilled trades apprenticeships.

The women learn things like blueprint reading, construction math, interview skills and resume writing, financial literacy, sexual harassment awareness and more. The women obtain credentials in first aid/CPR, lift operation, Occupational Safety and Health Administration for construction and ultimately, the Multi-craft Core Curriculum certification from North American Building Trades Unions. This certification is recognized across the nation at any construction union training facility. 

 When WIST was created, Williams-Swedberg and Cool were employees of Michigan State University. With little money to support their goals, MSU's Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) was instrumental in helping the fledgling program get off the ground by providing training space, time away from their jobs, and volunteer instructors and hands-on training.

“WIST is powerful because in addition to offering work-related skill building, it also creates a supportive community in which women are empowered to challenge themselves and invest in their interests, talents and future," said Danielle Hook, MSU HR development manager and volunteer teacher for WIST.

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