Date
12-4-2025
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration (PhD)
Chair
Tamika Hibbert
Keywords
skilled trades, gender roles, discrimination, gender marginalization, post secondary, cultural humility, women in industry, women in welding, women in STEM
Disciplines
Adult and Continuing Education | Vocational Education
Recommended Citation
Arias, Danielle N., "A Phenomenological Study of Perceptions of the Work Readiness of Women Working in Skilled Trade Job Roles" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7715.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7715
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the attitudes and perceptions of female graduates of post-secondary education programs who are employed in skilled trade job roles in the United States. The study focuses on the problem of underrepresentation of women in industrial trade jobs. The theory guiding this research was Acker’s theory of inequality regimes, as it implies a disadvantage for women and other marginalized groups within organizations. The Central Research Question for the study was: What are the attitudes or perceptions of female graduates of post-secondary education programs who are employed in skilled trade job roles? The two sub-questions on women employed in such jobs were: (a) What are the perceptions of female employees regarding how their skilled trade program prepared them to work in skilled trades? And (b) What factors do women in skilled trade jobs perceive as influencing perseverance? Data on the phenomenon were collected through semi-structured virtual interviews, an electronic questionnaire, and a focus group that was held virtually based on participant availability. Data analysis was conducted by organizing common themes extracted from interviews, electronic questionnaires, and focus group discussions. The study identifies key findings that women with formal post-secondary credentials are motivated by the prospect of increased income. Additionally, these participants report experiencing exhaustion and isolation due to the demands of achieving work-life balance. Finally, the findings highlight that engagement in mentoring relationships and internships facilitate positive professional experiences. Implications for change include a cultural shift within organizations toward authentic inclusion and cultural humility.
