Sacramento – The IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee turned out in force to promote IBEW 1245 at the June 18th Job Fair in Sacramento, California.
Hosted by the Sacramento Employment & Training Agency (SETA), the fair provided an invaluable opportunity to elevate women in the trades.
IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee engages hundreds of young people at SETA Job Fair in Sacramento
The task: “Providing information regarding our work, the benefits of our union, and promoting why it should be unionized,” said Juana Perez, a Welder from Trayer Switchgear, a manufacturing company.
“We had the opportunity to speak to all types of job seekers: High school graduates, community college students, career changers, some military veterans,” said Tierney Foster, a lineman at PG&E. She added, “We were able to discuss how unions provide long-term employment with strong benefits and the opportunity of growth with individuals who otherwise might not have known.”
Karyn Newmark, a high voltage Substation Electrician at SMUD, described the event, saying, “I spoke with recent high school graduates, career changers, and people reentering the workforce about what it means to be part of a union—job security, good wages, solid benefits, and the sense of pride and support that comes from being part of something bigger. Many attendees were surprised to learn about the range of roles available within the IBEW and were especially interested in hearing about apprenticeship opportunities and how to get started.”
“It was a great experience,” declared committee member and Clerical Service Representative Iyasha Davis. “I spoke with numerous individuals about the union difference and shared information about career opportunities with IBEW Local 1245. Events like these are an important way to connect with the community and inspire the next generation to consider rewarding careers in the trades,” she said.
The Women’s Committee has made participation in job fairs and career days a priority. From Nevada to the Central Valley, committee members have attended job fairs, sharing their personal stories as women working in the trades along with the power of union membership.
Formed in late 2024, the IBEW 1245 Women’s committee is dedicated to elevating, supporting and celebrating union women in the trades and conducting broad outreach to educate young people about the opportunities available to them.
“Events like this are a powerful reminder of why outreach matters, because the more people know about union careers, the more they can see themselves in these roles. I’m proud to be part of a union that invests in the future and works to make our workforce stronger and more inclusive,” offered Newmark.
They also provide a valuable networking opportunity.
IBEW 1245 Business Representative & Women’s Committee Chair Nicole Brooks shared, “I was able to connect with several other organizations with whom we can expand our outreach, including the California Conservation Corp, Sacramento Works, the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the Young Dems Women’s Caucus and several other agencies.” She added, “It was a pleasure to witness our Women’s Committee sisters engage with the community, share their respective journeys, and acknowledge the union difference. We’re changing lives, one conversation at a time!”
For more information about the IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee visit: https://ibew1245.com/womens-committee/
IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee Members:
- Nicole Brooks, Chair, IBEW 1245 Business Representative
- Julie Brousseau, Traffic Control Tech 1/Lead, Outside Line
- Tiffany Clemons, Journeyman Tree Trimmer, Arbor Works
- Nicole Caldwell, Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator III, City of Willits
- Iyasha Davis, Customer Service Representative, PG&E
- Tierney Foster, Lineman, PG&E
- Cassandra Gamez, Environmental Compliance Analyst, Modesto Irrigation District
- Kaycee King, Gas Pipeline Inspector, PG&E
- Sandra Martinez, Leak Survey, NV Energy
- Karyn Newmark, Substation Electrician, SMUD
- Juana Perez Ochoa, Welder 3, Trayer Engineering
- Lauren Trout, GC App Electrician, PG&E
- Jennifer Boychuk, Leaders Clerk, PG&E
- Eileen Purcell, Sr. Advisor to the Business Manager