Photo: Evelyn Pacheco, Author
While working at Fitzgerald Casino in the Engineering Department a co-worker told me about a Union Apprenticeship Training Program with the Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC UA Local Union 525. I applied and after five years of working as an Apprentice while taking care of my family. I made history as Nevada’s first licensed Black female plumber. Letting Women know that it does not matter how hard your life is or was, you can still make something of your life. I leveraged my experience to help all Women through “Nevada Women In Trades”, a non-profit organization formed specifically to increase the number of Women in trades.
Nevada Women In Trades (NVWIT) has created a pipeline for Women seeking a career in the blue-collar trades. Our Pipeline Comprehensive Course (PCC) is paving the way for Women to secure apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and job professionals in the trades. Pipeline Comprehensive Course(PCC) offers a way for Women to enhance skills and ability to perform on apprenticeship exams. Pipeline program is one way of assuring women an equal opportunity to perform well on the trades exams and interviews that have historically been male dominated. Currently, NVWIT Pipeline Comprehensive Course (PCC) is the only job training program for Women who have the desire to enter a trade apprenticeship, need additional training and preparation opportunities prior to completing a trade apprenticeship application. The NVWIT Team prepares Women who have completed it’s 190+ hour NVWIT (PCC) with math, science, safety readiness, sexual harassment class, field trips to trade facilities, and test taking skills required to assist with passing trade apprenticeship exams and give them a competitive edge in securing a seat in a coveted trade apprenticeship of their choice.
January 28,2020 marked the first-ever graduation ceremony for Nevada Women In Trades. NLV Council Woman Pamela Goynes-Brown was the keynote speaker and presented the graduates with their certificates at the ceremony that was held at NLV City Hall. December 17,2020 marked the first online class and our 2nd Graduation with our keynote speaker Senator Scott Hammond. We have had our 3rd, 4th , and 6th graduation at the Clark County building on April 1st and September 2nd of 2021, September 14th of 2022 and our keynote speaker was Clark County Commissioner William McCurdy
On September 10th-11th 2021, we had our 1st National Alliance of Women In Trades Summit at the Mirage in Las Vegas and our 2ndNational Alliance of Women In Trades Summit at CSN Cheyenne campus on September 24, 2022. Even during the pandemic Nevada Women In Trades has helped the women in the community to get into the blue-collar workforce and wealth building. NVWIT Pipeline Comprehensive Program (PCC) initiatives increase career opportunities in the construction industry for Low-Income, Re-Entry, Ex-Prisoners, Veterans, Minority group, Aging out and Disenfranchised Women.
Evelyn Pacheco, President and Army Veteran
Nevada Women In Trades
3540 W Sahara Ave Suite 417
Las Vegas, NV 89118 • 702.801.6591
