News Release

U.S. Department of Labor
Office of Public Affairs
200 Constitution Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20210
USDL [02-]

For Immediate Release
Date: August 1, 2002
Contact: Angela Adams
www.dol.gov/wb/welcome.html

LABOR DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR WOMEN IN APPRENTICESHIP AND NON-TRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS (WANTO)

Washington - The Department of Labor Women's Bureau is pleased to announce the availability of funds for Women in Apprenticeship and Non-traditional Occupations (WANTO) grant projects for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2002.

The purpose of this program is to assist employers and labor unions in the placement and retention of women in apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations. WANTO grant funds are awarded to eligible community-based organizations, which may include faith-based organizations, to provide employers and labor unions with technical assistance geared towards the successful placement and retention of women in apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations.

"Apprenticeship is a great opportunity for women to gain valuable skills that can advance their careers with better paying jobs," said Women's Bureau Director Shinae Chun. "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," said Chun.

For the past eight years, the Women's Bureau has awarded grants to qualified community-based organizations for the purposes of increasing the number of women in high skilled occupations. The program also benefits employers who are trying to retain an apprenticeship workforce by providing them with trained and dedicated workers.

The Women's Bureau administers the grants jointly with the Labor Department's Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services. A copy of the solicitation may be obtained from the August 1 issue of the Federal Register or from the Women's Bureau website at www.dol.gov/dol/wb/.

###

______________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755.