1. Attendance, active participation in class, completion of all reading and weekly assignments in preparation for class.
2. Creation of a “Job Readiness Kit”.
3. A grade of 75% or better on the mid-term and final exams.

On the first day of class, students are introduced to the policies and requirements of the course, detailed on the Conduct Policy, Diversity Pledge, Attendance Policy and Participant Agreement forms available as downloadable tools in this section.  The conduct policy outlines the philosophy of the program and involves students in creating a positive learning environment.  The essential element of this philosophy is that we are seeking to foster a cooperative rather than a competitive classroom, in which everyone feels comfortable asking questions because they are not afraid of being criticized or making a mistake.  To achieve this, it is important that students understand and share the responsibility for providing each other with positive feedback, support and assistance.  This policy also defines behavior that is detrimental to the class and its consequences. Though harmony is important in every classroom, it is particularly important for women entering an industry where they will likely be part of a tiny minority of women in their class or on the job site.  Encouraging participants to focus on what they have in common, rather than their differences, is, therefore, essential to building the support network they need now and preparing them for the realities of the workplace.

To earn a certificate from the program, students must meet attendance requirements.  Not only is it difficult if not impossible to make up for lost time, particularly field trips and hands-on workshops, but the ability to meet these requirements is a key indicator of whether or not a participant will succeed in the trades. Construction apprenticeship programs and employers universally hold apprentices to very strict attendance policies and consequences for exceeding allowed absences for classroom training, for example, can include expulsion from the apprenticeship program. Program attendance requirements are not quite as strict as those of apprenticeship programs, but they are firm enough to ensure that participants will have realistic expectations of the industry and motivation to resolve issues preventing classroom attendance before they enter the industry.  Unlike employers, however, CWIT supports students’ attendance by working with them to eliminate barriers such as lack of transportation funds, childcare etc.

Finally, the program requires that students complete all assignments and demonstrate mastery of the material to qualify for a “Certificate of Completion”.  What this means to CWIT is that they will have achieved a score of 76% or better on the mid-term and final exams, which is comparable to the skill level required to pass an entrance exam. Understanding that some women face greater than average challenges,  a “Certificate of Participation” is give to those who need to retake the exam to receive a passing grade or those who fail to meet the attendance requirement, provided they have missed no more than nine class sessions.  Those who do not meet these minimum requirements are not eligible for a certificate, but may, depending on the circumstances, continue to be eligible for tutoring, case management, placement assistance and re-enrollment in the program.