Riverland Community College has received a $3,000 grant to help eliminate barriers for women interested in becoming construction electricians. The grant is from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the Department of Children, Families and Learning. It will bring together union personnel, high school counselors and community agencies to study barriers and develop a recruitment plan.
Starting wages for some construction electricians in southern Minnesota are $17 per hour. Students completing Riverland's construction electrician program have a high probability of finding employment in their towns of residence, according to information from the college. This is of particular significance for women with children who have child-care, schooling and other support arrangements in place.
