Occupational segregation for women entering the skilled trades through union apprenticeship programs continues today. While professional women such as lawyers and doctors are increasing their percentages in formerly nontraditional jobs, tradeswomen represent only 2% of the total skilled workers. This is the identical percentage of women that first entered the skilled trades in 1978. The purpose of this study was to hear the voices of diverse working class women and men who work in the construction industry. Their own experiences and strategies for success were examined to develop a model for success for women entering apprenticeship programs. Women working in the skilled trades (N =141) completed a survey which investigated the social and structural constructs of their experiences as well as race discrimination, sex discrimination and sexual harassment on the job, in the apprenticeship classroom and in the union. Additionally, two focus groups were conducted, one of tradesmen (N = 5) and one of tradeswomen (N = 6). Both quantitative and qualitative (narrative) methodologies were used. Groupings compared included women of color to white women, queer women to straight women, feminists to non-feminists and older women to younger women. Results indicate that successful tradeswomen developed a complex set of survival strategies or skills for success. These strategies primarily revolved around seeking support from other tradeswomen and learning to persevere despite obstacles. The model for success for women in apprenticeship developed in this study contains six progressive stages: initial knowledge, application process, probationary period, middle, completion and leadership/advocacy. Focus group results indicate that women and men who are successful in the skilled trades consider themselves a part of the family of labor. The men identified concerns are with job safety and the opportunity to do high quality work. Women as a group identified as their concerns access and acceptance in the skilled trades. The study also provides a model to create action research for women's success in apprenticeship in nontraditional employment.