West Virginia Women Work

Carol Phillips, CEO

Economic Mobility

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West Virginia Women Work supports and advocates for the education, employment, and economic equity of all women. We carry out this mission by providing hands-on training, industry-recognized credentials, and barrier-removal support to unemployed and underemployed women, especially those impacted by poverty, limited education, and lack of work experience. Our programs create real, tangible pathways into high-wage, high-demand skilled trades, helping women gain the tools, confidence, and support they need to launch sustainable careers in nontraditional fields.

Year Founded: 2000

WV Women Work operates tuition-free, high-impact programs that train women for careers while dismantling the systemic barriers that have historically excluded them. Their flagship program, Step Up for Women Construction Pre-Apprenticeship, is a DOL-certified, twelve-week hands-on training course that blends technical instruction with job readiness and wraparound support. WVWW operate from a trauma-informed, women-centered framework that addresses both the hard skills needed to land a job and the soft skills and supports necessary to sustain a career. WVWW build power by reshaping relationships and mindsets by:

Challenging employer bias by preparing industry partners to recruit, retain, and support women in nontraditional roles.
Expanding access by connecting their students directly to apprenticeships and employment pipelines.
Shifting narratives by lifting up the stories of women in the trades and redefining who belongs in the workforce.

Since 2000, West Virginia Women Work has helped thousands of people gain the skills, confidence, and support needed to break into high-wage careers. From a single training program to a statewide workforce leader, their story is one of growth, muscle, and long-term impact.