Girls Garage’s Workforce Development program is a 70-hour pre-apprenticeship course open to womxn and gender-expansive individuals ages 18+ with a curiosity, interest, and motivation to enter careers in construction and building trades.
Applications for our Spring/Summer 2027 cohort will open in early 2026. Please sign up for our newsletter HERE to be notified when applications open.
Our 10-week, 70-hour Workforce Development program invites annual cohorts of up to 24 young adults and recent graduates of our youth programs to embark upon a scaffolded, industry-aligned program to prepare them for the next step in their construction career. Led by three of our inspiring female carpentry instructors, participants will learn safe power- and hand- tool use, carpentry and construction terminology, building standards, OSHA safety basics, construction math, and project management basics. Unique from other workforce development programs, we provide a safe space for women and gender-expansive individuals to practice both technical skills and the confidence, communication, and collaboration skills necessary to thrive in the trades. The 10-week program takes place once a week on Saturdays and provides a generous stipend, transportation and childcare support.
All participants who complete the program earn the Girls Garage Carpentry + Construction Certificate, a pre-apprenticeship micro-credential and digital badge that can be used on resumes and LinkedIn. By our 2028 cohort, we will also offer an OSHA-10 safety certification.
In keeping with Girls Garage’s commitment to community-facing work, each cohort will build a structure for a local nonprofit. As an all womxn’s space, we also create ample space for discussions about physical safety, discrimination, and how to seek female support and mentorship within the building trades.
Students will leave with the vocabulary, confidence, and jobsite skills to pursue ongoing training, apprenticeships, or entry-level positions. Graduates will also gain connections to employers with job openings through brokered introductions, resume and portfolio support, and interview preparation. Through partnerships with local community colleges, apprentice programs, and unions, we also ensure industry readiness and connection to ongoing mentors and professional organizations.
Priority is given to low-income womxn and gender-expansive individuals ages 18-26, but applications are open to all adults.