At the age of 35, Kassandra Bodanza is looking for a respectable and bright future, where a few women are following.
As part of the joint vocational training with the Muslim Brotherhood of electric workers (IBEW) and the National Association of Electric Contractors (NECA), Bodanza is trained to become a commercial electrician.
She said, “It seemed appropriate.” “I have always enjoyed mathematics. I always enjoyed science, and I would like to be active as well. Sitting behind an office seems terrible for me. I was just trying to find something that fits these criteria and this is what I got here.”
According to the Arizona Office for Economic Opportunities, the construction is the second fastest growth sector in the state. It is the most demanding industry, which shows the largest employment and wages. The best demand industry in Pima Province is the management of companies and institutions, followed by manufacturing and mining. All of these industries require construction services.
Carlos Contreras, Director of the Economic Opportunities Office in Arizona, said the construction industry is the motivation for the recruitment of women mainly in deals because it is employing a new talent.
He said: “Women constitute nearly 16 % of the workforce in construction.” “This is a lot of growth in terms of people in this industry. We are like the second highest percentage in the country, so we are actually one of the leaders. This is also a great opportunity to introduce women in this field.”
However, Bodanza is somewhat rare, although it is less rare than it was in the past. Of a group of 65, it is one of five women. This does not spoil it. In fact, it is not a problem.
She said: “All the businessmen I spoke with, and all the men of the trip with whom I dealt, were all very useful and very respectful.”
“They just want to teach me because I want to be there. If they see that you are there and want to do the work, and ask questions with activity and participation, they want you there.”
Bodanza took some time to find a place in the program. In her previous life before joining, Bodanza worked as a server in the Tucson resort. It was a decent job. She covered her bills, but when she struck the Covid-19 gate and was demobilized, she began to reconsider her life. “What will I do?” She asked herself.
Ultimately, she returned to the resort, but the time that led to “operating something that made me think,” Is this what I want to do? Do I want to be a servant or do I want something more? ”
She did not want to walk the school’s traditional path, but she wanted to earn a living, so Googling started the deals.
Although Bodanza did not want to return to school, her first application was rejected. They said that there is enough education or training during work. She did not give up. I tried again. This prompted her to Bima Community College, where she studied in the resort, while she was still working in the resort, to obtain a certificate in electricity and a colleague’s certificate in construction and construction. Then I applied to the program again and was accepted.
The difference between obtaining a certificate and being part of the vocational training program is simple.
“(In the program), you are placed in your position and get a fee and after a certain period of time you will get the advantages of a union,” said Budanza. “Now I work in this field and go to school twice a week.”
To date, Bodanza was in two workplaces and found that the work was satisfied, but she knew that she would do because she enjoyed the process of electrical work in the school.
“Even when I was in Pima, there is a chip when we were doing practical things in classrooms, laboratories, wire and vessels, she said. “I just enjoyed the assembly of circles and a final result, such as I turned the key, and the lights began if everything was done correctly. If not, then I had to explore and repair mistakes, and I only made my mind to work. It was a mental motivation for me, and this was very important. She does not expect her attention to fading.
“It is very exciting to learn different things,” she said. “The electric field changes constantly, as with solar energy and communications … Everything is very interesting and I can walk in many tracks.”
Toxon Electrical Training Program
To learn more about the TUCSON Electrical Training Program,
Visit tucsonjatc.org
