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I f I H ad
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Program prepares women
for the trades by Natalie Shapiro
Assocuite
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nne Galisky was 5
years old when
she got her first
carpentry tools.
Now, she is a
successful carpenter and general
contractor. She attributes her
success both to her parents’ sup
port at an early age and to a six-
month Portland Community
College program called B-F1T.
Building Futures in Industry
and Trades teaches students the
skills they need to become car
penters, masons, electricians,
welders and more. Although
open to all people, the focus is on
women and minorities.
Unfortunately, B-FIT is in
danger of being dropped because
student enrollment has been
declining during the past few
years. “Right now, we only have
five students, and there have
been less than 10 over the last
several years,” lamented Dean
Anne Galisky
Kruse, dean of science and tech
nology at PCC’s Rock Creek Campus.
they can’t do something hard or technical. To be
B-FIT began in 1989 as a means to help a carpenter, a mason or a machinist challenges
women become ready for entering the trades. It and shatters cultural and sexist stereotypes.
originally was funded through the federal gov
Women who enter the trades have been able
ernment, but once the grant ran out, the college
to brush aside these hindering stereotypes. “It’s
had to pick up the costs.
no accident that there are so many lesbians in
“Originally, there was one staff member for the trades,” Galisky laughed.
three students,” Kruse said. “But now the teach
She noted that one way women are kept out
ers have to stretch themselves doing other jobs.” of the trades is by being labeled lesbians. “So if
B-FIT courses teach students the basics in you have confronted it already, it can’t be used
the construction, electrical and mechanical
against you!”
trades. The program also offers a circuit weight
She added that sexual minorities always
training course to build the strength needed for have been pioneers. “Lesbians are already
these jobs.
challenging gender stereotypes, so it’s easier
“You don’t have to be as strong as the men,
to do other things that challenge these
but you have to be as strong as you are able
stereotypes."
to,” said Galisky, who graduated from B-FIT
Galisky wants women to realize they can
10 years ago. The program allows women to enter the trades if they want to. “There’s a lot to
catch up and gain the skills many entry-level
say in not letting cultural stereotypes get in the
men have.
way of what you want to do— whatever that is,”
Galisky said the instruction teaches students she stressed.
about the construction culture. “Trades are a dif
Why would women want to enter the trades?
ferent language— this is an introduction to that Galisky said she loves her work and has pride in
it. “I love making something that I can see— the
language.”
The program also prepares students for satisfaction of taking an idea and making it a
reality.”
apprenticeships. Galisky thinks the courses
are invaluable for preparing women for the ' She also gets to work outside and wear
trades. “They are more likely to stick it out,” jeans, and her body feels strong. “I like the
good feeling of tiredness at the end of the day
she said. •
Kruse added that graduates are extremely from working.”
And the pay is good, too, she added.
successful in getting jobs; many own their own
According to the B-FIT brochure, average
businesses. Between 800 and 900 students have
yearly earnings for carpenters range from
completed B-FIT, Galisky said.
With the successes of preparing students for $24,000 to $55,000, for electricians from
the trades, why is enrollment so low? Galisky $30,000 to $49,000 and for welders from
thinks one reason is people simply don’t know $20,000 to $40,000.
The B-FIT program lasts for two quarters.
about the program. She, Kruse and others are
The next quarter begins Jan. 8 at PCC’s Rock
trying to bring more students into B-FIT.
Another reason is women hesitate to enter Creek Campus. i n
the traditionally male-dominated trades. “I
B uilding F utures in I ndustry and
think it’s cultural,” Galisky said. “In other coun
tries, women do construction work. We need to TRADES will hold an orientation l p.m . D ec. 5 m
know we can be completely a woman and do Room 1 36 o f Building 5 a t Portland C om m unity
C ollege’s Rock C reek C am p u s. F or more inform a -
carpentry.”
tzon, call John Fulton a t 503-6/4-7255.
Internalized sexism allows women to think
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