Department of Labor Awards $1.8 mil in WANTO Grants -2010

News Release
WB News Release: [06/14/2010]
Contact Name: Jennifer Kaplan or Lina Garcia
Phone Number: (202)693-5052 or x4661
Release Number: 10-0817-NAT

US Department of Labor announces $1.8 million in grants to support women in non-traditional occupations

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a total of $1.8 million in funding to six organizations in California, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania as part of the Women in Apprenticeship and Non-traditional Occupations Grants program. The awards will support partnerships between the grantees and currently existing Registered Apprenticeship programs to ensure that women have training opportunities and career support to succeed in non-traditional occupations in growing sectors of the economy.

"Women always have been critical members of our nation's workforce system, and today's grants are recognition of the need for more talented women to enter into occupations in non-traditional and lucrative industries," said Sara Manzano-Díaz, director of the Labor Department's Women's Bureau. "These funds will provide women with valuable training opportunities by connecting them with established Registered Apprenticeship programs that are focused on preparing female workers for successful long-term careers."

Through these projects, women will be trained for careers in numerous non-traditional fields such as construction and manufacturing. Educational opportunities will support preparation for numerous occupations including: carpenter, cement-mason, construction laborer, electrician, machinist and mechanic, operating engineer, painter/plasterer, plumber and welder. In some cases, women will have the chance to receive U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifications. In other instances, women will be able to attend mentoring and networking programs and receive job placement advice.

Today's grants are awarded to community-based organizations that form a consortium and partner with at least one Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor. These grants are jointly administered by the Labor Department's Women's Bureau and its Employment and Training Administration's Office of Apprenticeship.

The six grantees and amounts awarded are listed below. Visit http://www.doleta.gov to learn more.

Grantee Location Award Amount

Chicago Women in Trades Chicago, Ill. $300,000
Nontraditional Employment for Women New York, N.Y. $300,000
Pennsylvania Women Work Pittsburgh, Pa. $300,000
State Emergency Response Systems Inc. Los Angeles, Calif. $300,000
United Communities Against Poverty Inc. Capitol Heights, Md. $300,000
YWCA of Greater Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio $300,000

Conference Call Audio Files
Conference Call with Women's Bureau Director Sara Manzano-Díaz: [MP3]

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/wb/wb20100817.htm