US Department of Labor announces $6M in grants to expand job opportunities for women in apprenticeships, nontraditional occupations

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $6 million in funding to help recruit, train and retain more women in quality pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs, as well as in nontraditional occupations. 

The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations grants will enable organizations in eight states and the District of Columbia to provide training programs in skilled building trades, advanced manufacturing and information technology. 

“As the Biden-Harris administration continues to improve the lives of working people, create family-sustaining jobs and grow an economy that works for everyone, we’re focused on gender equity and making sure all communities benefit,” said Acting Secretary Julie Su. “Our Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations grants support programs that train women for good union jobs, build equity into our workforce development system and provide employers a pipeline of talent for critical, in-demand roles.” 

Administered by the department’s Women’s Bureau and Employment and Training Administration, WANTO grants provide technical assistance to support women’s participation in fields where they are traditionally underrepresented, such as construction, advanced manufacturing, energy, technology and transportation. Grant recipients can use a portion of their funding to support services such as childcare, transportation, tuition and work-related gear. 

The nine recipients represent the department’s largest award to date, a $1 million increase over 2023 funding. 

“Good jobs are those that provide stable and equitable pay with benefits in a safe, healthy and accessible workplace. Good jobs change lives. We are committed to ensuring the good jobs created by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda include opportunities for women and other communities that have been shut out of higher-paying careers,” said Women’s Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon. 

“Our Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations grants help women prepare for those careers, with critical training support and wrap-around services that ensure workers have what they need to not only survive, but to thrive in the workplace,” Chun-Hoon added.

Learn more about the WANTO grant program and this year’s recipients.

The recipients of the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations grants are as follows: