The U.S. Department of Labor believes that helping women access more high-skill, high-paying jobs in what is considered non-traditional areas for women is good for the economic prosperity of the country. And they are willing to put their money where their mouth is.
A government program called The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations will help give women the training they need to break into occupations such as construction, energy, information technology, manufacturing and transportation. The goal is to get women into the Registered Apprenticeship program where they can receive technical instruction and on-the-job training in non-traditional job areas.
The Registered Apprenticeship program has offered skills training to workers for 75 years. Getting more women into this program is a high priority for the Department of Labor. The apprenticeships are from 1-6 years. Apprentices start working on the first day and continue to learn and increase their skills, and their pay.
The grant money will be offered to community development organizations to create Regional Multi-State Technical Assistance Resource Centers that will help women prepare for the apprenticeship program. The centers will even provide women help with child care and transportation so they can focus on the apprenticeship program.
For more information, visit www.grants.gov/search-grants.html?agencies%3DDOL%7CDepartment%20of%20Labor