A Tulsa-based nonprofit is making strides toward changing the face of Oklahoma’s construction industry by giving women the tools—literally and figuratively—to build lasting careers in the trades.

Women Accessing Nontraditional Trades (WANTT) offers a free, seven-week program designed to prepare women for jobs in a field where they remain vastly underrepresented. Participants learn practical skills like blueprint reading, measuring, framing, and the safe use of power tools. The program also includes industry-recognized certifications, such as OSHA safety training and CPR, which can help graduates stand out to employers.

Since the program’s inception, 33 women have graduated, and nearly half have already secured positions in construction.

“This partnership with OSHA is a major achievement for McAlvain,” said Josh Diamond, safety director with the company. “It reflects our team’s continued dedication to being proactive and going above and beyond compliance to ensure every worker goes home safely.”

Addressing the Gender Gap in the Trades

According to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, women make up less than 10% of the state’s construction workforce—a figure significantly below the national average of 11%, as reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Even among those employed in construction in Oklahoma, most hold administrative or support roles rather than on-site trade jobs.

Nationally, women’s participation in construction has risen by 45% over the past decade, but Oklahoma has yet to match that growth. WANTT aims to change that by providing not just skills training, but also mentorship and a strong support network.

A Pandemic-Era Idea Turned Career Pipeline

The concept for WANTT emerged during the pandemic, when co-founder Laura Stauffer’s colleague questioned the absence of women in Tulsa’s construction jobs. “And I said, ‘I don’t know,’” Stauffer recalled.

In the program’s training shop, students work on small-scale projects such as doghouses, picnic tables, and tool sheds—projects that help them gain confidence with materials and equipment. These hands-on experiences are often the first time participants handle tools like nail guns, saws, and drills.

Graduate Makayla Ogdahl said the experience has been transformative. “When I leave here, I’m going to have this group of women who I can always reach out to,” she said. “We’ve already decided we’re going to help each other build our houses.”

Building Skills, Confidence, and Community

The WANTT program is as much about community as it is about construction. Participants form connections with peers and industry mentors, attend site visits to active construction projects, and learn about career opportunities ranging from carpentry to project management.

Graduates also benefit from partnerships WANTT has forged with local contractors, trade unions, and workforce development agencies—relationships that can lead directly to job offers.

The current cohort has two weeks remaining, and applications for the next class are now open. Details and application forms are available at WANTT.org.

By equipping women with the tools, training, and confidence to succeed, WANTT hopes to not only change individual lives but also reshape the future of Oklahoma’s construction workforce.

Originally reported by Ethan Wright in News 9.