As you review your apprenticeship program what are opportunities and challenges you face in bringing more women into the industry?
A key challenge we face is overcoming traditional perceptions that telecommunications is a male-dominated industry. However, our inclusive culture helps us demonstrate that this field is open to everyone. We’re focused on shifting these outdated perceptions by highlighting diverse career pathways and showcasing women thriving in various roles across our teams.
How do you attract women to enroll in your apprenticeship program?
We attract women by highlighting Congruex’s supportive, family-oriented culture. One inspiring example is a foreman from our SCI operating unit who encouraged his sons, daughters, and their mother to join the industry through our apprenticeship program, working together on an underground utility crew. Stories like these illustrate that Congruex is a welcoming place where families, including women, can build meaningful careers. We also emphasize competitive pay, career progression, and hands-on training opportunities, making Congruex an appealing option for women entering telecommunications.
What occupations are you finding are most interesting to women in your apprenticeship program and why?
Women in our program are often drawn to roles such as underground utility technicians, technical support positions like flaggers, and construction coordinators. These roles provide opportunities for hands-on skill development, teamwork, and leadership in the field, which many find both rewarding and impactful.
What are some of the benefits for women who enroll in an apprenticeship program?
Women who join our apprenticeship program benefit from a comprehensive, hands-on training experience that comes at no cost to them. Congruex fully funds the training, which means our apprentices can focus on building skills and advancing in their careers without financial burdens. In addition, they receive competitive wages from day one, allowing them to earn while they learn. Our program also provides a supportive, inclusive community where women have access to mentors, career guidance, and a clear path for growth in a high-demand industry. This no-cost, structured pathway empowers women to enter telecommunications with the confidence and skills needed for long-term success.
Are there feedback mechanisms in place to hear from women apprentices about their experiences and needs?
Yes, we have regular feedback surveys to ensure women’s experiences are heard and valued. These insights help us continually refine the program and provide apprentices with a supportive learning environment.
What career advancement opportunities are available for women after completing the apprenticeship program?
Telecom Tower Technician Pathway: Apprentices can start as Telecom Tower Technicians and advance to roles like Construction Lead, Antenna & Line Lead, or Maintenance & Condition Lead. From there, they can move into supervisory positions as Telecom Tower Construction Foreman, Antenna & Line Foreman, or Maintenance & Condition Foreman.
Utility Installation Pathway: For those interested in underground or overhead utility work, apprentices can begin as Underground Utility Installer Technicians or Overhead Utility Installer Technicians. With experience, they can advance to become Telecommunications Utility Foremen.
Technician Specialties: We also offer specialized roles in areas such as Wireless Technician, Fiber Optic Technician, Small Cell Technician, In-Building Wireless Technician, and Broadband Technician, each providing unique opportunities for skill development and career progression.
What success stories or case studies can be shared to inspire potential women apprentices?
We have numerous success stories that showcase the career growth opportunities available through our apprenticeship program. For example, many apprentices who start as technicians have advanced to leadership roles. One former apprentice began as an entry-level Underground Utility Installer Technician and, through hard work and dedication, moved up to become a Crew Lead assisting in overseeing project buildouts.
As you review your apprenticeship program what are opportunities and challenges you face in bringing more women into the industry?
Bringing women into the industry presents its own unique challenge, irrespective of an apprenticeship program. A primary driver of this unique challenge is simply being unaware that certain skilled trades positions, such as a Telecommunications Tower Technician, exist. To increase awareness, we need to continue to promote skilled trades apprenticeships at both a national and local level, and among all ages. Incorporating insights from women in the industry during apprenticeship discussions, as well as highlighting women working in the field, can significantly enhance the likelihood of more women entering the industry. Representation of individuals like oneself plays a crucial role in influencing the decision to join that industry.
What are some of the benefits for women who enroll in an apprenticeship program?
Enrolling in an apprenticeship program is an excellent way to earn a living while learning a trade. Apprenticeships provide education and the hands-on application of it to grow skillsets that can immediately be used in the real world to build a career – and when done through TIRAP, apprentices ultimately obtain national credentialing recognized by the US Department of Labor. Apprenticeships offer education coupled with practical experience to develop skills applicable in the workforce. Through TIRAP, apprentices receive national credentials acknowledged by the US Department of Labor.
Are there feedback mechanisms in place to hear from women apprentices about their experiences and needs?
An apprenticeship program provides a framework for an organization. The program structure includes an outline of competencies related to each apprentice’s job code, allowing employers to regularly meet with participants to review their progress and facilitate discussion and feedback.
As you review your apprenticeship program what are opportunities and challenges you face in bringing more women into the industry?
We haven’t had significant challenges bringing women into the industry, other than the fact that fewer women are interested, compared to the number of men who express interest. This is due primarily to long-standing conventional gender roles.
How do you attract women to enroll in your apprenticeship program?
We intentionally invite men and women in our recruitment flyers
We hold recruitment events that clarify the types of work and skills involved, as well as future roles that they can pursue. We also enlist our female technicians to do presentations at our recruitment events.
What occupations are you finding are most interesting to women in your apprenticeship program and why?
Although our female technicians are fully trained in fiber optics and wireless work, two have opted to focus primarily on help desk support, client communication, assisting with training, and field work supervision. These roles were just more appealing to them.
Do you have any data on the retention rate for women who have completed the apprenticeship program?
Three women completed the apprenticeships. Two are still employed by us—the two mentioned above. The third woman ended up using her skills to install, maintain, and repair amusement park rides, which also included fiber.
What are some of the benefits for women who enroll in an apprenticeship program?
Nearly all our apprentices are from low-wealth communities. Most have limited opportunities and low-wage jobs that don’t lead to career progressions. Completing our apprenticeship program equips them with in-demand skills that result in a durable career with livable wages.
How does the program collaborate with employers to create more opportunities for women graduates?
We have many contacts in our network. We actively support apprentice opportunities for placement with other companies.
What career advancement opportunities are available for women after completing the apprenticeship program?
Cyber security, help desk support/troubleshooting, management, client communication.
As you review your apprenticeship program what are opportunities and challenges you face in bringing more women into the industry?
Opportunities:
– Educate women and girls so they are aware of the many career opportunities available in the telecommunications industry.
– Attend a career class at high schools and educate them at a younger age; this is beneficial in their future decisions.
– I believe giving students hands-on experiences at career fairs and events gets them interested and engaged.
– Making women are not aware of what telecommunications is, how it works and affects their daily lives; most have no idea what is involved in the telecommunications industry.
Challenges:
– Getting women of all ages to understand that women who work in this industry are skilled and excellent leaders and are just as capable in the underground construction telecommunication industry as men are; this is a career for females also.
– As more women engage and participate in the underground telecommunications industry and fieldwork, it is anticipated that they will feel increasingly at ease and begin assuming roles at a quicker rate inspiring the next generation.
What are some of the benefits for women who enroll in an apprenticeship program?
– Rewarding careers in the wireless and broadband industry gives them the skills, credentials, and a certificate, which will help them advance sooner. If they were to move to another state, city, location, etc. this would help them with good career positions vs. not having an apprenticeship program.
– By women enrolling, it sets an example for others that may have never given the industry a thought and explore a new opportunity. Shows them there are other women they can lean on and learn from. Women in apprenticeship have people guiding you through the process; you are not on your own. A female mentor is huge and encourages them that they can do this!
– Being a female myself I feel that attending and talking at these career fairs & events, shows others that women are involved, whether it is out in the field being an equipment operator, working in an office, managing the safety side, etc. There are many opportunities for them in the Underground Telecommunications Industry.
Are there feedback mechanisms in place to hear from women apprentices about their experiences and needs?
We will be asking for feedback during our apprenticeship process and then once completed, will have information to benefit and encourage other women in the future.
What success stories or case studies can be shared to inspire potential women apprentices?
Our female apprentice is quite the inspiration and can be to others; she is a successful heavy equipment operator, runs a crew, and has no problem going the extra mile, she is “confident” in her abilities, which gives her high potential to help and train others that are coming into our industry.