Seven women first to enter carpenters’ union apprenticeship program

Seven women first to enter carpenters’ union apprenticeship program

ROCK TAVERN – Seven young women are the first to enter the pre-apprenticeship program sponsored by the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters and the Sisters in the Brotherhood.

They began their training at the carpenters training hall in Rock Tavern on Thursday.

Carpenters council representative Edward Cooke said the new program will afford these young women the opportunity in a new career.

“We were able to put together some training and help these women get a first foot forward into the construction trades so that they can do it safely and they can do it properly and they can start on the way to a new career,” Cooke said.

Rahinee Valverde, 25, of New Rochelle is a single mom with two children who joined the program. Her 7-year-old son was thrilled with his mother’s new career.

“He can’t wait for me to bring the tools home and play with them,” Valverde said. “He’s really excited. He’s never heard of women carpenters so I first told him, he was shocked. Now he’s really excited.”

The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board and the carpenters’ union helped fund the program.