Trading Up: Fixing the Skilled Labor Gap in Infrastructure
Allie Perez, founder of Texas Women in Trades, joins Natasha Ozybko to discuss the lucrative potential of trade careers, dismantling industry stigmas, and building inclusive workforces.
In this twentieth episode of Conversations with MOXY, host Natasha Ozybko speaks with Allie Perez, founder of Texas Women in Trades and owner of George Plumbing in San Antonio, Texas. The discussion centers on the urgent need to bridge the skilled labor gap, the realities of being a woman in the trades, and how to create sustainable career paths for women through training and intentional support.
From Marketing to the Plumbing World
Allie Perez’s entry into the trades was driven by necessity and an entrepreneurial mindset. With a background in marketing and communications, she took over her family’s plumbing business to modernize its operations. This transition gave her a unique dual perspective: the strategic oversight of a business owner and the grit required to manage a service-based trade.
As a business owner, Perez recognized that the industry’s greatest challenge was not a lack of work, but a critical shortage of skilled technicians. This realization led her to found Texas Women in Trades, a non-profit dedicated to connecting women and underrepresented groups to viable careers in the service and construction sectors.
Challenging the Trades Stigma
A core theme of the conversation is the cultural stigma surrounding "blue-collar" work. Perez and Ozybko discuss how society often portrays trades as a "fallback plan" rather than a lucrative, high-tech career path. Perez emphasizes that trades like plumbing and electrical work offer recession-proof stability and high earning potential without the burden of university debt. She highlights that modern trades increasingly involve advanced technology, diagnostic software, and complex problem-solving and that representation matters. By showcasing successful women in these roles, Perez aims to help younger generations see trades as a "first-choice" career.
The Barrier of Inclusivity: "More Than Just a Job"
The discussion explores why women often enter training programs but fail to stay in the industry—the "leaky pipeline". Perez argues that bringing women in is only the first step; the industry must change its culture to keep them.
Safety and Gear Mirroring previous episodes, Perez notes that ill-fitting PPE and a lack of basic job-site facilities are significant deterrents for women.
Mentorship and Culture She stresses that women need mentors who understand their unique hurdles, such as caregiving responsibilities and the pressure to be "twice as good" to earn the same respect as male peers.
The "Bro" Culture Perez calls for an end to exclusionary language and behaviors that make job sites feel hostile to anyone who doesn't fit the traditional mold.
Workforce Architecture: Building Careers
Perez introduces her approach to "Workforce Architecture" - the intentional design of a career path from recruitment to retirement. She encourages employers to stop looking for "Jim 2.0" and start recognizing the transferable skills that women, particularly moms, bring to the table: organization, crisis management, and complex logistics. She posits that a diverse workforce is more resilient and better equipped to handle the varying needs of a diverse customer base.
Conclusion: Take a Chance on Potential
Allie Perez concludes by challenging senior leaders to be brave in their hiring practices. She reminds the MOXY community that "potential is the greatest asset any employee has". For the women listening, she offers a message of empowerment: the trades are a place where you can build not just infrastructure, but financial freedom and a lasting legacy. Her final advice to the industry is simple: "Stop talking about the shortage and start training the solutions".