Say the word "construction" and it's highly likely that your mind conjures images of steel, heavy equipment, caution signs and men in hard hats ... Read More
Women in Construction Apprenticeships
California is making big investments in apprenticeship and providing opportunities for women who want to build a meaningful career in the trades. Construction and building trade apprenticeships have helped provide many people with a solid career and good pay, but nationally only 3 to 4% of the building trades’ workforce are women. It’s time for that to change.
Are you a woman who is interested in becoming an apprentice in the building and construction trades?
When asked about their apprenticeship, many women start by telling how they felt—at the end of their rope. Giving up hope on a life of ease for their families, and of a chance at retirement. Then, someone told them about apprenticeship and they took a chance, reached out for more information and did the work.
First step: find an apprenticeship program.
Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship Grant (ERiCA)
DAS is offering funding to apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs to offer both supportive resources for childcare (up to $5000/pre-apprentice and $10,000/apprentice) and outreach and community building to women, non-binary and underrepresented populations in the building trades. Please visit the ERiCA Grant page to learn more about the grant and the programs that receive the funding.
DAS is offering funding to apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs to offer both supportive resources for childcare (up to $5000/pre-apprentice and $10,000/apprentice) and outreach and community building to women, non-binary and underrepresented populations in the building trades. Please visit the ERiCA Grant page to learn more about the grant and the programs that receive the funding.
Resources
While working in the trades can be very rewarding, finding support is key for women who want to thrive in this line of work. The following links have been compiled to help you succeed.
Pre-apprenticeships
Pre-apprenticeship programs can help you prepare for entry into an apprenticeship program. Here are a few that have equity focused cohorts:- Rising Sun
- SoCal Pre Apprenticeship Program
- Women In Non-Traditional Employment Roles (WINTER)
- Valley Build
- Trades Orientation Program
- Register your pre-apprenticeship program
Women-Centered Organizations
- Tradeswomen Inc.
- The National Association for Women in Construction
- Sisters in the Brotherhood
- B.O.O.T.S.
Resources and News:
- Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Agency Announces ERiCA Grant
- Governor Newsom Signs Pay Equity Act
- Labor Commissioner’s Office, California Equal Pay Act
- California 4 All Women, First Partner Initiative
- U.S. Department of Labor
- Women at Work: Pre-Apprenticeships Boost Female Construction Workers
- Advancing Opportunities for Women through Apprenticeship: A Case-Based Resource Guide
- California Apprenticeship Council Blue Ribbon Committee survey 2006 Women in Apprenticeship
- 500,000 by 2029
- California for All
- Pay, Breaks and other Labor Laws
- Workplace Safety and Health
- Equality for All, Work Fear-Free
Women in Construction Profiles
At construction job sites across the country, women only make up one of every 100 workers. Lindsay Fitzgerald, a third-year apprentice with ABC Northern California ... Read More
It took quite a while for the Ironworkers to welcome women into their ranks. The first known women Ironworker, Kelly Mann, was from Local 751 Alaska. She started working Iron in 1975. Fast forward to today. Ironworkers Local 229 has many female journey workers and apprentices... Read More