Being a woman in the trade is interesting. I love my work. They're just not that many of us. You know, she's right. There's not that many women in the trades because the truth is, having a career, while having a family, it's difficult. Trust me, I know. How could I do? It's awesome! The fact is, the decision to start a family often means putting your career in the backseat. But the Nika IVW Power of America team in the Pacific Northwest has created a new program for women that addresses this issue. And it's pretty good. It kind of makes me want to join, and I'm not the only one. I'm 33. I knew that I would be having a family while in apprentice, because it's a five-year program. I didn't know if I'd have to take a break. I know some women have left the program altogether, have left the trades because it's been difficult for them to manage motherhood and also keep up with folks who don't have to carry a baby on the job site. But there also are a lot of really inspirational women who have worked all the way up until term, up until their ninth month of pregnancy. I'm a third generation electrician in my family and both my parents are IBW electricians. When I first found out about the maternity leave, I almost thought it sounded too good to be true. I was amazed that we have this type of program for our female members. It was instant gratitude. The maternity benefit plan is put together by IBW Local 48, Nika, and the Harrison Trust. It's six months of paid leave, 13 weeks before the expected due date, and 13 weeks after. Members receive $800 a week in addition to FMLA benefits. The trust also pays health insurance premiums, which means free health insurance coverage during the entire time for their family. I took the idea to our health insurance trust, which this particular benefit is important to me on a personal level. My wife had four miscarriages. So how delicate our pregnancy is, I completely understand. That was part of my driving force actually in trying to push this getting this benefit. Family is important to me. It's always been important to me. It's my number one. It's what I live for every day. Fraylor Electric has been around since 1959. The program is like this. Being combined between Nika and IBW and providing opportunities for members of IBW that would also benefit Nika members. It's a great opportunity. My husband and I are both IBW members. I'm an apprentice and he is a foreman. Having a child, it's an indescribable bond and he's really easy going. He's an extremely happy baby. And it's nothing that could ever imagine. If I would have gone back to work after six weeks, I would have been missing out on quite a bit. And I would have been a lot more stressed out but being able to care for him this long and really get to know him and myself as a mother has been amazing. It's definitely appealing to women who want to start families. Especially younger women who want to start a family but also want a career. You know that can be a hard thing to juggle and I think that this program helps make that possible. It's a great tool for a young woman that's wanting to be in this trade. That was the whole idea is to have choices so that nobody has to choose their career over having a family or when that would take place. I've been married to my husband Dan for two years. I'm 26 weeks along with the baby boy. It means that I don't have to worry. It means that I don't have to think before picking up a bundle of pipe. Am I going to put myself for my baby at Jeopardy? But also don't have to worry about not pulling my weight. So for any woman who's considering a career in the electrical industry and doesn't want to compromise starting a family, we got you. There's steps in place to make sure that you're safe while you're on the job site and then when you're ready to stop working, you'll be supported through your birth and through your first month of motherhood. You stand above us for some medium. For behind the scenes extras and industry information. For Electric TV, I'm Erica McGlary. You