As Women in Construction Week commences on March 3, Canyon State Electric (CSE) takes pride in recognizing the commitment and achievements of women making significant strides in the construction industry. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women represent only 11% of the construction workforce, a figure that is gradually increasing as more women find fruitful careers in this traditionally male-dominated field.
NCCER-Accredited Apprenticeship Program
Last summer, CSE introduced its NCCER-accredited apprenticeship program to prepare Arizona's workforce with highly skilled journeyman electricians. This initiative has attracted young women like Angel Vasquez and Maricela Raigoza, both in their second year as apprentices, who are excelling in a career arena generally dominated by men.
Vasquez, 18, shared her enthusiasm for being a woman thriving in this field: “I literally love the fact that I’m a woman in a man’s field doing it just as a man would. I take whatever I’ve learned in the classroom right back to the field, and I get it right away. It just makes me go faster.” Raigoza echoed her sentiments, saying, “There aren’t a lot of women in the field, but I really like it. Watching everything go from the ground up and knowing I helped make it work—that’s what keeps me going. When you turn on the lights or see the finished product, it’s like, ‘Wow, I did that!’”
Overcoming Challenges
Although these women have found success, they face unique challenges in construction. Vasquez noted, “My family didn’t support my career choice. But I knew what I wanted to do with my future, so I had to let that go. I’m building my career, and my career is for my future.” Sidney Hawkins, CSE’s Director of Safety and Training, emphasized, “We understand there are experiences that are unique to being a woman in this field. We make sure every electrician and apprentice has the opportunity to succeed—no matter who they are or where they come from.”
Canyon State Electric's Comprehensive Training
Launched in 2024, the apprenticeship program at Canyon State Electric combines academic learning with practical training tailored for the electrical trade's demands. This includes training in conduit bending, crane operation, and blueprint reading, with seasoned mentors guiding the apprentices. Hawkins stated, “We teach above and beyond the basic requirements. Arizona doesn’t mandate a written licensure exam to become a journeyman, but if and when they do, our electricians will be prepared.”
Responding to Economic Opportunities
Phoenix's robust economic expansion is creating new avenues in the electrical sector. Industry site 42Floors has named Phoenix the fifth-largest data center market nationwide, with nearly $500 million in transactions from 2012 to 2021. The surge in semiconductor manufacturing and data center demand underscores a need for skilled labor, a gap that CSE's apprenticeship program aims to fill.
CSE President Robert Hughes remarked, “A lot of companies are concerned about available labor to complete construction projects. This is how we’re addressing the shortage. We’re investing in the future of our employees and the economic health of the state.”
Hawkins added, “In four years, we’re going to have thirty young pioneers out on the job sites. And thirty more every year after that. We’re training up the next generation of electricians.” As Women in Construction Week highlights the contributions of women in the trades, Canyon State Electric encourages exploration of its apprenticeship opportunities for those interested in advancing their careers.
As Women in Construction Week kicks off on March 3, Canyon State Electric (CSE) is proud to celebrate the hard-working women who are creating lasting change in the industry.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 11% of workers in construction are women—but that number is steadily climbing as women build thriving careers in the trades.
NCCER-accredited apprenticeship program
The program has drawn young women who are thriving in a career dominated by men
Last summer, CSE launched its NCCER-accredited apprenticeship program to equip Arizona’s workforce with skilled journeyman electricians.
The program has drawn young women who are thriving in a career traditionally dominated by men, including Angel Vasquez and Maricela Raigoza, two second-year apprentices.
Turn on the lights
“I literally love the fact that I’m a woman in a man’s field doing it just as a man would,” said Vasquez, 18. “I take whatever I’ve learned (in the classroom) right back to the field, and I get it right away. It just makes me go faster.”
Raigoza echoed that enthusiasm, highlighting the satisfaction of seeing her work come to life: “There aren’t a lot of women in the field, but I really like it. Watching everything go from the ground up and knowing I helped make it work—that’s what keeps me going. When you turn on the lights or see the finished product, it’s like, ‘Wow, I did that!’”
Faced challenges
Despite their success, both women have faced challenges unique to being women in construction
Despite their success, both women have faced challenges unique to being women in construction. “My family didn’t support my career choice. But I knew what I wanted to do with my future, so I had to let that go. I’m building my career, and my career is for my future,” said Vasquez.
“We understand there are experiences that are unique to being a woman in this field,” said Sidney Hawkins, CSE’s Director of Safety and Training. “We make sure every electrician and apprentice has the opportunity to succeed–– no matter who they are or where they come from.”
Canyon State Electric’s apprenticeship program
Launched in 2024, Canyon State Electric’s apprenticeship program combines classroom learning with hands-on training that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the electrical trade. Apprentices gain experience in conduit bending, crane operation, blueprint reading, and more, under the guidance of seasoned mentors.
“We teach above and beyond the basic requirements,” said Hawkins. “Arizona doesn’t mandate a written licensure exam to become a journeyman, but if and when they do, our electricians will be prepared.”
Demand for semiconductor manufacturing
Phoenix’s booming economy is creating unprecedented opportunities in the electrical trade
For Raigoza, the program has been transformative. “My favorite thing was learning about lighting. My first year here, I worked on lighting a lot—putting up lights, powering them up, reading lighting plans, and learning about LEDs. It’s something that stuck with me,” she said.
Phoenix’s booming economy is creating unprecedented opportunities in the electrical trade. According to industry site 42Floors, Phoenix is the fifth-largest data center market in the nation, with nearly $500 million in transactions between 2012 and 2021.
The growing demand for semiconductor manufacturing and data centers has created a critical need for skilled labor, which CSE is addressing through its apprenticeship program.
next generation of electricians
“A lot of companies are concerned about available labor to complete construction projects. This is how we’re addressing the shortage. We’re investing in the future of our employees and the economic health of the state,” said CSE President Robert Hughes.
Hawkins added: “In four years, we’re going to have thirty young pioneers out on the job sites. And thirty more every year after that. We’re training up the next generation of electricians.”
As Women in Construction Week shines a spotlight on women breaking barriers in the trades, Canyon State Electric invites others to explore the opportunities that await in its apprenticeship program.
