Constructing Confidence: Vit Plant Team Inspires at All-Girls Camp

An after-school camp in Tri-Cities, Washington, is giving young women the tools to build a foundation — literally and figuratively — for a career in construction, strengthening the local pipeline for the next generation of Hanford Site workers.

The camp, known as Girls Rock in the Trades (GRITT), invites girls in grades 8–12 to explore and develop skills in fields traditionally marketed to men. Campers gain hands-on experience working alongside skilled tradespeople, while guest speakers offer inspiration and serve as role models by sharing their experiences working in construction.

Among the speakers were nine women from the Hanford Vit Plant who volunteered at this year’s camp, sharing their experiences and highlighting the range of occupations available in the construction industry.

Following the camp, the Vit Plant volunteers expressed excitement about having a positive effect and leaving lasting impressions on the campers.

For Desi Swart, an expediting specialist for Vit Plant lead contractor Bechtel National Inc., GRITT’s positive influence hit close to home.

“My oldest daughter, Drea, participated in GRITT last year and it sparked her love for working with her hands,” said Swart. “Prior to GRITT, she struggled with an individualized education program, self-confidence and low grades. She’s now an honors student and one of six admitted into the second year of the pre-electrical program at the local trade school, Tri-Tech Skills Center.”

Bechtel was the GRITT camp’s premier sponsor for a second year in a row. The sponsorship reflects Bechtel's broader commitment to supporting and developing the next generation of tradespeople across the U.S. and around the globe.

Mat Irwin, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management acting assistant manager for the Vit Plant, emphasized the importance of programs like GRITT.

“These opportunities are an important part of developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople and I salute the Vit Plant volunteers who are investing in the future,” said Irwin. “Without this workforce, large-scale projects like the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant and the Hanford cleanup mission would not be possible."

Bechtel Senior Vice President and Vit Plant Project Director Brian Hartman echoed Irwin’s support of workforce development.

“Bechtel and the Vit Plant team are committed to helping our community develop the next generation of tradespeople through partnerships with local schools, trade organizations and unions,” Hartman said. “Together we can provide students with the information, resources and hands-on experience that will prepare them for a successful career in construction.”

The GRITT camp was created by the Tri-Cities chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction and has been hosted each year by Tri-Tech Skills Center.

About the Vit Plant

In southeastern Washington state, Bechtel National, Inc. is designing, constructing, and commissioning the world’s largest radioactive waste treatment plant for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). When complete, the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant, also known as the Vit Plant, will process and stabilize millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste currently stored at the Hanford Site.