YWCA Trades Trailblazers: Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Construction

APX Construction Group spearheads one-of-a-kind construction program for young girls

March 5, 2025

Photos courtesy of APX Construction Group

The rhythmic clang of hammers fills the air as a group of middle school girls, clad in oversized hard hats and bright safety vests, carefully measure and cut materials for their latest project. Their focus is unwavering, their enthusiasm contagious. These young builders are part of the Trades Trailblazers program, an initiative led by APX Construction Group in partnership with the YWCA Mankato, designed to introduce girls to the world of construction. Over the past several months, these 10 seventh- and eighth-grade students have been rolling up their sleeves and learning the ins and outs of the trades—not by sitting through lectures or building small projects, but by constructing an entire tiny home.

“The initiative was to get women in construction together and talk through what it could look like to create something that excites young girls about construction,” explains Jess Blais, director of business and community relations at APX and project manager of Trades Trailblazers. “There was a handful of us in a brainstorming session, and we were talking about afterschool programs and summer camps. … We talked about building birdhouses and doghouses, and I said, ‘What if we build a tiny house?’

But the initiative serves a bigger purpose. According to Blais, women make up just 11% of the construction workforce—a number that includes both office and field roles. Meanwhile, an estimated 40% of skilled trades workers are expected to retire within the next five to 10 years. The industry faces an urgent need for new talent, and programs like this offer a crucial opportunity to introduce young women to a field that has traditionally been overlooked as a viable career path for them.

What began as a lofty, “pie in the sky” idea quickly turned into reality as Blais took the lead alongside APX superintendent Ryan Wilhelm on the project. Now, one Wednesday afternoon each month from September 2024 through June 2025, the participants gather at APX’s 30,000-square-foot shop in Mankato, where they are guided by experienced mentors and industry professionals in specific trades.

“You have an electrician who has been in the business for 50 years, mentoring these 12- and 13-year-old girls, and you can see that spark of why he got into the business in the first place—no pun intended,” Blais adds, laughing. “We have a great community in Mankato. It wouldn’t have been possible with the enthusiasm and support of our subcontractor partners.”

So far, participants have learned everything from reading architectural plans and measuring materials to framing walls and installing siding. The girls’ favorite session to date? Plumbing and electrical, Blais says, for its creativity and necessary problem-solving to arrive at a particular outcome. Future sessions will include selecting countertops, cabinets, and casework; installing plumbing accessories, trim, and hardware; painting; adding finishing touches, and more.

The hands-on approach not only builds technical skills but also fosters confidence, camaraderie, and a sense of accomplishment. Blais says, “There have been so many types of lessons they can take with them forever, whether they ever do construction again or not.”

For many of these girls, the experience has already reshaped the way they see the world around them. They now recognize the intricacies of a construction site, understand the role of different trades, and—perhaps most importantly—see themselves as capable of pursuing careers in the field. With the support of industry mentors, including college students from Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Construction Management Women’s Association, the program is more than just an educational experience—it’s a movement toward changing the face of construction. “The exposure, the excitement … it’s working,” Blais says. “That was the initial mission, and that’s what’s happening. My favorite part is watching the 13-year-old girls look at the 20-year-olds. They’re young and they’re cool, and it makes it that much easier for the girls to imagine themselves in a role in construction. Having them come on board has been like that Dairy Queen curl on the whole project.”

But even as Trades Trailblazers nears the completion of its first tiny home, the excitement continues to compound. In June, the YWCA will raffle off the house, solidifying its impact not only as a learning project but as a tangible contribution to the community. With national interest growing, the initiative has the potential to serve as a model for similar programs across the country. “There are a lot of reasons to excite young people about the trades, and especially women, because there’s a big gap there,” Blais says. “There’s a lot of room for women to join the field, but it’s not presented to them as an option, or they can’t see them themselves doing something in construction. That was the goal: Give young girls an opportunity for hands-on experience that can lead to a career path in skilled trades.”

This Women in Construction Week, March 2-8, Trades Trailblazers speaks to what’s possible when young women are given the opportunity to build—not just homes but futures.

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