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This research report provides background on women’s labor market experiences and opportunities in apprenticeships and nontraditional occupations in the United States to provide context for the forthcoming descriptive study of the 2020 and 2021 Women in Apprenticeships and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) grants. The report also summarizes the planned activities of the grantees, the key features of their programs, and the main topic areas to be included in the descriptive study. Future briefs produced under this evaluation will include findings from analysis of interviews focused on the perspectives of WANTO grant directors, grant staff, partners, and pre-apprentices.

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Key Takeaways

• omen remain underrepresented in apprenticeships, despite their numbers increasing over time. Childcare and harassment are among the top barriers to retention of women in registered apprenticeship programs.
• The share of women apprentices was lower than men for the age group 16 to 34 but was higher than men’s share for the age groups older than 35 years old, including 5 percent of women apprentices ages 55 and older.
• Pre-apprenticeship programs include a larger share of women than in apprenticeship programs. This suggests that pre-apprenticeships may provide a more open and representative pathway for women to access apprenticeship and employment in non-traditional occupations.

Citation

Butrica, B., Kuehn, D., Sirois, M. (2023) Urban Institute. Women in Apprenticeships and Nontraditional Occupations in the United States. Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.

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The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy and CEO’s research development process.