(PORTLAND, OR) – Bonneville Power Administration employees will
participate in the Oregon Tradeswomen’s 2019 Career Fair on May 17 and 18 at
the National Electrical Contractors Association and International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers training center. BPA representatives will share their
experiences and demonstrate some of the skills they use to keep hydropower
flowing in the Northwest.
The Oregon Tradeswomen’s 27th annual career fair
features workshops and exhibits staffed by volunteers who are passion about
their work and are committed to encouraging women and young girls to explore
opportunities in non-traditional fields.
“BPA transmission grid is the backbone for affordable,
renewable power in the Pacific Northwest,” said Robin Furrer, BPA’s vice
president for Transmission Field Services. “We employ almost 1,000 people in
the electrical crafts and trades. The tradeswomen’s career fair is an
outstanding venue to create awareness and interest in crafts and trades where
qualified workers are in high demand.”
Grisel Mendez is an electronics engineer at BPA. She
is one of the many volunteers and trades representatives sharing their stories
at the event.
“Every day is unique and I’m always working on
something new,” said Mendez. “I could be teaching, testing equipment or out at
a site. I work with a variety of people, in multiple organizations, and on
various projects. It all keeps my work very interesting.”
Oregon Tradeswomen is relying on stories from people
like Mendez to bring a boost to industries searching for uniquely skilled
workers.
“The construction industry in Oregon is experiencing a
worker shortage,” said Mary Ann Naylor, Communications and Marketing Director
at Oregon Tradeswomen. “This event brings together fundamental resources for
people who want to work in the trades, including information on how to access
debt-free career training and opportunities for paid, on-the-job learning.”
The event takes place at the NECA-IBEW Electrical
Training Center at 16021 NE Airport Way, Portland, Oregon. Mendez and other BPA
tradeswomen will be first speaking to students attending with their schools on
May 17, and then to the public on May 18 at the Careers for Women Day. They’ll
be discussing various opportunities in the electric utility trades and
demonstrating skills such as surveying, bucket truck operation and safe use of
a fire extinguisher.
BPA is a proud sponsor of the Oregon Tradeswomen’s
2019 Career Fair. Learn more about the event at www.tradeswomen.net/fair/. You may also contact Naylor at maryann@tradeswomen.net,
503-335-8200, extension 126, or 503-819-9201.
