CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK)—A free program in our area is giving women an opportunity to get the training they need to land higher-paying jobs. The West Virginia Women Work Step Up for Women program prepares women for careers in the skilled trades.
When we first met Wendy Martinez and Erin Carr they were two weeks into the Step Up for Women Construction Pre-Apprenticeship program. On that day they were learning how to operate a forklift.
“How to get on it, what all of the controls do,” Carr explained about the lesson that day. “We were able to take it out for a little spin and pick up some pallets to see what is going on and learn how to use the controls and figure out how to drive it and stuff like that.”
Carr and Martinez started the course not knowing much about that type of work. They are hoping what they learn in the program will build a path to a better life for them and their children. Martinez saw an advertisement for the program on Facebook.
“I’m at home and I’m like there’s got to be more than this,” Martinez said. “That is something I’ve learned, there is always something more. You can always go forward. I could go back too. But this is a big forward for me.”
Martinez struggled with addiction for a decade. During that time, she lost everything. She lived in a tent at one point. She’s been in recovery now for 14 months. The opportunity to be in the program is one she doesn’t take lightly.
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