Teaching Young Women About Careers in Construction and the Electrical Industry
June 15, 2026 – Aurora, CO — For Career Week for GIRLs™, Encore Electric welcomed 11 girls to the Prefabrication and Tool Center in Aurora, where they gained hands-on electrical experience by bending conduit, operating a forklift, terminating a data cable, and more! Career Week for GIRLs™, a program created by the HOYA Foundation and Transportation and Construction GIRL®, introduces students to a variety of career paths by connecting them with professionals in the construction industry.
“This was my first time attending the event, and I was truly impressed by the authenticity and care shown by everyone involved, from the Transportation & Construction GIRL® team to the Encore Electric team members. It was inspiring to see how clearly they connected with these young women while highlighting the wide range of opportunities in the electrical trade, from apprenticeships to office-based roles,” said Encore Electric Chief of Staff Christine Romero.
Career Week for GIRLs™ is for ages 13-23, and for one week, students visit five companies for an entire day to learn more about what they do. For the past five years, Encore Electric has encouraged young women to explore careers in construction and the trades by highlighting the wide range of opportunities available. From hands-on work in the field as an electrician to office-based positions like being an accountant or recruiter, the day is dedicated to showcasing the diverse career paths. Encore Electric teammates from all over the company attended the event to share more about what their day-to-day looks like and the steps they took to get to that position.
“I think my favorite thing about the Transportation & Construction GIRL® event was seeing the women of Encore support each other and encourage each other as a team. From what I saw, the girls at the event picked up on that, and it helped them open up. They responded with enthusiasm by participating in conversation with us and seemed to really enjoy the events we had planned for them. I look forward to this event, and it just gets better and better every year,” said Encore Electric Account Manager Emily McCurley.
Knisely also went through the program in 2023, where she first learned about Encore Electric. Since her first career week, she has been involved with Transportation & Construction GIRL® in other ways, like attending the career week at Encore Electric as a Transportation & Construction GIRL® staff volunteer.
“Transportation and Construction GIRL® has had a huge impact on my life since I attended Career Week for GIRLS™ in the summer of 2023. Through the program, I became an ambassador, earned three internships with Encore Electric, and received two scholarships. Last summer, I gave back to Keller, the T&CG founder, by taking photos of a group of girls participating in the program, and it was inspiring to see how engaged, curious, and excited they were about construction careers,” Knisely said.
Another highlight of the day is sharing with the girls all the people it takes to build the work Encore Electric does – including our vital partnerships with other companies. CED, a national electrical distributor and an Encore Electric partner, also attended a portion of the event and provided breakfast.
“One of my favorite things about being a woman in the construction and electrical distribution industry is the people. I’ve been fortunate to work with individuals who are eager to teach, support, and help others grow. I’ve gained knowledge and confidence in areas I never expected to understand, which has made the experience both challenging and rewarding,” said CED Division Subject Matter Expert Katy Thomas. “Being one of the women in the industry motivates me to work hard, prove what’s possible, and help create opportunities for the women who will follow.”
Another Encore Electric partner who supported the event was Rexel, who provided lunch and the conduit used for the event. Encore Electric builds complex and challenging work in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah, and it’s vital to have industry and trade partners that can help power these projects.
In addition to Career Week for Girls™, Encore Electric has a booth at the Transportation and Construction GIRL Day in September at Jefferson County Fairgrounds every year. Last year, more than 1,500 girls attended the event and visited more than 68 companies learning more about different careers in construction. Each year, Encore Electric brings the Encore Learning and Mobile Escape Room (ELMER).
Photo from Transportation & Construction GIRL Day 2025
“My experience with Encore Electric has shown me how important it is to encourage more women to enter the transportation and construction industries. Transportation and Construction GIRL® holds a special place in my heart because it has opened doors for me while also allowing me to see the positive impact it has on other young women,” Knisely said. “I highly recommend this program to any young women who is even slightly interested in the industry. You gain so much from this program, especially if you put yourself out there and keep an open mind!”