Paula
Resa

Executive Director, NWCI Training Centers

Enlighten Forum Panelist, “Women in Construction and Energy: Leadership in Male-Dominated Industries”

Biography

Paula Resa is the Executive Director for NWCI Training Centers in western Washington State. She has been a union carpenter for over 38 years working on a variety of job sites doing everything from concrete formwork to interior finish. Paula worked hard through her apprenticeship became a journey woman, teacher, signatory contractor, apprenticeship coordinator and training director.

Paula went back to school to get her teaching degree and is passionate about working with adult learners. Her tenured training and experience motivated Paula to create and develop the Pre-Apprenticeship Program in Northern California where she spent much of her time writing grants to fund pre-apprenticeship and to build career pathways for the community. While working as the Assistant Director for the Northern California Carpenters Apprenticeship program she purchased a home in Cheney, WA.

In 2017 Paula joined the NWCI team where she brought her skills sets and vision to build, develop and grow NWCI's Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Her primary goal was to provide effective and industry specific training to help pre-apprentices gain the knowledge and skills sets needed to became successful throughout their apprenticeship. Throughout her career Paula has seen firsthand how life changing completing an apprenticeship can be. She is a strong supporter of union membership and as a single mother understands the benefit of being a union member

In September 2022 Paula was hired as the new Executive Director for NWCI. She is excited to share her vision with the NWCI team and to continue to expand training opportunities for our union members.

When she is not working she enjoys, reading, travel, spending time with her family, gardening, camping and remodeling houses.