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WB News Release: [10/01/2002]
Contact Name: Angela Adams
Phone Number: (202) 693-6710

Department of Labor Announces Grants to Promote Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations

WASHINGTON — Women entering nontraditional occupations will benefit from $1,000,000 in grants from the U. S. Department of Labor. The grants will go to organizations that will help employers and unions establish apprenticeship programs, recruit women and help overcome barriers to women in nontraditional jobs.

“Apprenticeship training is a great opportunity for women to gain valuable skills that can advance their careers with better paying jobs,” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “By expanding the skills of America’s working women, we are addressing the needs of our workforce and assisting women in the development of rewarding careers. When women win, families win.”

Under the “Women in Apprenticeships and Nontraditional Occupations” (WANTO) initiative, eleven community-based organizations have been awarded grants to provide on-site technical assistance to employers and unions that develop strategies to increase the employment of women in apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations.

“Today's women are moving into positions of influence and leadership faster than ever. It's happening on factory floors and on Wall Street—even in government,” says Women’s Bureau Director Shinae Chun. “This grant program will assist women to gain the skills they need to find and hold good jobs, particularly in fields many women have not previously explored. From Maine to California, women will have more opportunities as a result of these grants.”

The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations grantees are: Oregon Tradeswoman, Inc., Portland, Ore.; Nontraditional Employment for Women, New York, N.Y.; Women in the Building Trades, Dorchester, Mass.; Maui Economic Development Board, Inc., Kihei, Hawaii, Tradeswomen, Inc., Oakland, Calif.; Chicago Women in Trades, Chicago, Ill.; Workforce Connections, Inc., La Crosse, Wis.; Century Housing Corporation, Culver City, Calif.; Women Unlimited, Augusta, Maine; Mi Casa Resource Center for Women, Denver, Colo.; and Hard Hatted Women, Cleveland, Ohio.

The Women’s Bureau administers the grants with the Labor Department’s Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services. Additional information regarding nontraditional occupations in the trades for women can be found in the current Women’s Bureau e-News located at http://www.dol.gov/wb/nontra.htm.

The WANTO grant program is executed under the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations Act of 1992.

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