Ep. 189: Wired for Change--Inclusion in the Electrical Trade
EQ: To what extent are the trades becoming more welcoming and inclusive for anyone who is not white, CIS, male and in what ways are they still woefully retrograde?
Note to listeners: We hope this will be part of a larger series on women in the trades.
In this episode, we discuss the challenges and progress surrounding diversity and inclusion in the trades with Alejandra Alexander, a writer, visual artist, and former electrician. Alejandra shares her personal journey from the trades and explores the systemic barriers faced by women, non-binary, and trans individuals in construction and other skilled trades. We explore the disconnect between the industry’s stated goals for diversity and the realities on the ground, touching on issues like representation, discrimination, and the small but important cultural shifts that are beginning to take place. Alejandra also offers advice for anyone thinking about joining the trades and what she wishes she had known before getting started. To learn more about Alejandra visit her substack.
Related Resources:
Contractor Mag “Diversity in the Trades” 2022 article
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Five Charts to Understand Black Registered Apprentices in the Us (2023)
Do Your Fudging Homework:
Annie: Check out some of the organizations, like Washington Women in Trades, that are working to improve construction work for women, non-binary, and trans folks.
Hope: no homework!
Alejandra: Electrical Workers Minority Caucus –local 48