Free Construction Academy For Women By ADOT

PHOENIX, AZ — The Arizona Department of Transportation is offering a two-week Construction Academy just for women, according to a release from the department. The program is designed to help women in economically disadvantaged groups to launch careers in transportation construction.

Women make up about nine percent of construction workers nationally, the Arizona DOT said, quoting the U.S. Department of Labor. They're working to balance this statistic out with the free academy. Starting rates in related fields range from about $14 to $24 hourly.

Spaces are still available, and interested women can apply by visiting the Arizona DOT website.

The Construction Academy will run from March 2 to 13 in Phoenix.

"Through the years, ADOT’s Construction Academy has helped more women enter the construction trades. Of the more than 600 graduates since this pre-apprentice training began in 2014, about 35 percent have been women," the release said.

Women of disadvantaged economic groups will especially benefit from the program, the ADOT's Steve Navis said, due to federal requirements for contractors for their projects to employ a number of women and people of other economically disadvantaged groups.

"However, the larger goal of the Construction Academy is helping participants view construction as a viable career and not just another job," Navis said in the release. "Modern technology and construction methods mean that all people with ability have places in the construction world."

See the release here for full information from the Arizona Department of Transportation.

According to the release, three quarters of Construction Academy participants have gone on to work in the field as flaggers, commercial truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, highway surveyors, electricians, carpenters, painters, pipe fitters, concrete finishers and block masons.

Participants with perfect attendance get a free set of tools valued at $200.

For more information, visit the ADOT website, call 602-712-8125 or visit the ADOT Business Engagement and Compliance Office, 1801 W. Jefferson St., Suite 101, in Phoenix.