About Us

At NEW, we are privileged to empower girls, women, and those who identify as women as they work to build a better future and disprove stereotypes. Together, we are changing the face of the building and construction industry. In addition, NEW helps create a skilled workforce vital to economic development in New York City and New York State and serves as a model and a resource for other programs across the country.

Since 1978, NEW has provided a pathway to jobs in critical infrastructure fields that provide good pay, benefits, and safety protections. Through its core, nationally known pre-apprenticeship training program, along with job placement and wrap-around services, such as housing and childcare referrals and support, job interview preparation, and access to tools and equipment, NEW lowers barriers to a male-dominated industry and supports women throughout their trades journey.

NEW trains approximately 350 students annually and connects them with employers and union partners, while also advocating for a diverse workforce, the prevention of gender-based violence and harassment, and the prioritization of health and safety in the workplace. Over its nearly five-decade history, NEW has impacted thousands of lives and built a strong community of tradeswomen that support each other and forge paths for others to follow.