Looking for a new career? Or helping a daughter or woman you know explore new job possibilities? Make sure you add the Women in Trades Career Fair to your May calendar, and consider it the best local event to learn more about opportunities within the trades. Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. (OTI), a Portland, Oregon nonprofit organization, actively supports young women’s exploration of skill trades careers at this annual event. This year celebrates the 25th annual Women in Trades Career Fair!

Attendees can visit the fair, participate in dozens of hands-on workshops and exhibit booths, and learn more about the rewarding and well-paying career options in the skilled trades. This free fair could never happen without the support of many sponsors, including these platinum level supporters: Bonneville Power Administration, City of Portland, IBEW 48, NECA IBEW, Oregon Laborers, PGE, PMCA, Local 290 Plumbers – Steamfitters, and KGW.

The popular Dads and Daughters Workshop and coffee will take place from 1:00-2:00 pm especially for parents and guardians to share the trades with the young women in their life. In addition to Saturday’s public fair, a fair tailored to middle and high school girls is offered on Friday, May 19. New this year on Friday, from 10:00-11:15 AM is a seminar for educators about recruiting women and Girls for Career and Technical Education Programs. This seminar will be provided by Oregon Tradeswomen staff as they share their methods and strategies for recruiting and retaining women and girls for CTE Programs.

Here at the Institute, we applaud the important work that Oregon Tradeswomen has done for so many years! Learn more about the fair on the Oregon Tradeswomen website.