An after-school camp in Tri-Cities, Washington, is giving young women the tools to build a foundation — literally and figuratively — for a career in construction, strengthening the local pipeline for the next generation of Hanford Site workers.
Office of Environmental Management
July 2, 2024
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The attendees of this year's Girls Rock in the Trades camp are pictured at Tri-Tech Skills Center in Tri-Cities, Washington.
RICHLAND, Wash. — An after-school camp in Tri-Cities, Washington, is giving young women the tools to build a foundation — literally and figuratively — for a career in construction, strengthening the local pipeline for the next generation of Hanford Site workers.
The camp, known as Girls Rock in the Trades (GRITT), invites girls in grades 8–12 to explore and develop skills in fields traditionally marketed to men. Campers gain hands-on experience working alongside skilled tradespeople, while guest speakers offer inspiration and serve as role models by sharing their experiences working in construction.
Among the speakers were nine women from Hanford’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Project who volunteered at this year’s camp, sharing their experiences and highlighting the range of occupations available in the construction industry.
Following the camp, the WTP volunteers expressed excitement about having a positive effect and leaving lasting impressions on the campers.
For Desi Swart, an expediting specialist for WTP lead contractor Bechtel National Inc., GRITT’s positive influence hit close to home.
“My oldest daughter, Drea, participated in GRITT last year and it sparked her love for working with her hands,” said Swart. “Prior to GRITT, she struggled with an individualized education program, self-confidence and low grades. She’s now an honors student and one of six admitted into the second year of the pre-electrical program at the local trade school, Tri-Tech Skills Center.”
Joni Weamer, Hanford Site Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant mission integration manager, speaks to Girls Rock in the Trades campers about her experience and career in the construction industry.
Bechtel was the GRITT camp’s premier sponsor for a second year in a row.
Mat Irwin, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management acting assistant manager for the WTP Project, emphasized the importance of programs like GRITT.
“These opportunities are an important part of developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople and I salute the WTP volunteers who are investing in the future,” said Irwin. “Without this workforce, large-scale projects like the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant and the Hanford cleanup mission would not be possible."
Bechtel Senior Vice President and WTP Project Director Brian Hartman echoed Irwin’s support of workforce development.
“Bechtel and the WTP team are committed to helping our community develop the next generation of tradespeople through partnerships with local schools, trade organizations and unions,” Hartman said. “Together we can provide students with the information, resources and hands-on experience that will prepare them for a successful career in construction.”
The GRITT camp was created by the Tri-Cities chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction and has been hosted each year by Tri-Tech Skills Center.
-Contributor: Tyler Oates
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