JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – This Women’s History Month, News4JAX is shining a spotlight on women making a difference in our community—especially in fields traditionally dominated by men.
At JEA, one woman is breaking barriers. Ashley Tallman is the only female apprentice in JEA’s Water Wastewater training programs as a Maintenance Mechanic Utility Installer Servicer (MMIUS).
She’s part of a team that responds to water and sewage system issues across Jacksonville. According to her supervisor, she passed the program’s physical and agility tests with ease—challenges that even some men struggle with.
Tallman is one of 90 apprentices training in JEA’s MMUIS program. A year ago, stepping into a male-dominated workspace was intimidating. But today, she’s thriving.
“Water, wastewater, sewage—if there’s a backup, we get called out to fix it and figure out what’s going on,” Tallman explained.
Despite being the only woman on her job sites, she’s built strong relationships with her coworkers.
“Working with all these dudes… they’re pretty awesome,” she said. “They explain different things and break it down for me because I’ve never done this kind of work before.”
Tallman’s passion for hands-on work keeps her motivated. But as a woman in a male-dominated trade, she knows others may face challenges in the workforce. Her advice? Keep going.
“If somebody wakes up and thinks, ‘Look at her—if she can do it, I can do it,’ that’s pretty awesome,” she said.
For women facing workplace biases, she offers simple but powerful advice:
“Just keep trying. If they say you’re doing it wrong or that you can’t do this—just keep trying. Show up. Do it. Prove them wrong.”
JEA is actively working to grow its talent pipeline and encourage more women to pursue skilled trade careers. Their Skilled Crafted Training Programs offer opportunities for anyone looking for a new career path—with no prerequisites required.
To apply, candidates need to pass an online assessment and successfully complete JEA’s physical agility testing.