The March 2019 National Women Training Class at the Al Zampa Bridge

The Ironworker Cal-Trans Women's Pre-Apprenticeship Training Class of February 2019

In a joint effort, the Ironworkers Union and Cal-Trans has sponsored this current class of 20 women applicants from Fresno, Sacramento and the Bay Area. They are attending a 12 day Pre-Apprentice class at the Benicia Training Center. These women have been trained to: measure, tie knots, set up and use an oxy fuel torch, use grinders, and place and tie rebar. Classroom instruction included fire watch, traffic flagger, heat illness, harassment, green training and other safety modules of instruction that will prepare them for their first day on the jobsite. The classroom and hands on training will enable these women to start their career as Ironworkers. The women are provided tools, books, lodging and reimbursement for supplies, child care, and travel expenses. These women will receive direct entry into the apprenticeship program and are scheduled to start work in March. The Ironworkers are committed to creating opportunity for women.

National Women's Cohort Class, April 2018, Benicia CA

The class of September 2017

National Women's Cohort Class September 2017: Women pre-apprentices from across the US have attended and graduated from the pre-apprenticeship class in Benicia California. This class offered training in basic ironworking and will result in entry into the various state programs.

March 2017 class in their Miller Welding attire

The class visits the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge

National Women's Cohort Class April 2017: 24 women pre-apprentices from across the US (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Calif, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Rhode Island) are attend the pre-apprenticeship class in Benicia California. This class offers training in basic ironworking and will result in entry into the various state programs upon completion.

General President Eric Dean and California District Council President Don Zampa visit the second National Women’s Welding Class held in Benicia California in June, 2016. Also pictured are Instructor Carrie Steel and Director Dick Zampa.

The Ironworkers International Union and the California District Council has teamed up to sponsor the National Women’s Training Program. The first class was held in 2015 and a second class was completed in June of 2016. Women from across the United States have been recruited to participate in these pre-apprenticeship training classes. Classes were held at the Regional Training Center in Benicia California under the direction of Apprenticeship Director Dick Zampa. The class is three weeks long and the students attend class for nine hours per day, six days per week, of intensive training, with an emphasis on honing welding skills to prepare the women to enter the Ironworkers Apprenticeship Program. The students receive training in basic ironworking skills as well as safety and First Aid and CPR to prepare them for their new careers.

The 2nd National Women's Welding Class, June 2016

National Women's Welding Class, September 2015

National Women Welding Training: The Ironworkers International Union and the California District Council has teamed up to sponsor the first National Women Training Cohort class. Women from across the United States have been recruited to participate in this training being held in Benicia California under the direction of Apprenticeship Director Dick Zampa. The class is three weeks, six days per week, nine hours per day of intense training with an emphesis on honing welding skills to prepare the women to enter the Ironworker Apprenticeship Program. The students will receive training in safety, first aid/CPR, basic ironworking skills and welding to prepare them for their new careers.

The National Women Welding Class of 2015

The Class of 2014

The Class of 2012

The California District Council has sponsored Women's Gladiator Training classes. The women are chosen by application and trained in ironworker orientation, first aid/CPR, and safety with an emphasis on welding skills. Upon graduation from the three week program they are placed in the apprenticeship and dispatched to jobs in the Bay area.