Women in Construction: Tammy Tansey

As a part of Women in Construction (WIC) week, March 5-11, 2017, we are highlighting several women in the industry. This interview is with Tammy Tansey, Administrator of Apprenticeship and Training at Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Northern Training Center, who has worked in the construction industry for 1 1/2 years.

How did you begin your career?

I was hired by the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers to take care of administrative duties as well as to do marketing, outreach, and recruiting for the apprenticeship training centers in our District (which covers all of Ohio and the eastern half of Kentucky). We have approximately 225 apprentices actively working and training in our two training centers.

What attracted you to the construction industry?

My husband is a carpenter and my oldest son is a 3rd year brick apprentice. I have always admired the hard work and skill that goes into everything they do. So when I was asked to come on board to help with marketing and recruitment (coming from 20 years of experience in financial institution marketing), I jumped at the chance to be a part of this industry.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Helping young men and women who have no desire to go to college understand the reality that they too can have a career and make a very good living. I also love the interaction with our apprentices and watching them as they progress and grow through the program.

Best Advice:

Never be afraid to try something new, even if you fail. Just try to find the positive in what you did and try to take that away with you.

Best Experience:

Watching one of our apprentices work long and hard training for a national competition, and taking second place. I was so proud of him and watching the pride he took in his success makes me grateful to be a part of this program.

For more inspiring and informative WIC Week content, follow us all week on social media using the hashtags #WICweek and #NAWIC .