Women in Construction Apprenticeships
Your Career, Your Future
California is committed to creating an equitable environment where women can thrive in apprenticeship programs across all industries. Construction and building trade apprenticeships provide a clear path to career advancement, leading to job security and fulfilling, well paid careers.
Find an apprenticeship program
ERiCA Grant Program
Nationally, women make up 10.9% of the building trades workforce but California is leading the change.
The Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship Grant (ERiCA), administered by DAS, aims to increase opportunities in the construction industry for women and other communities not historically represented in the construction industry. Funding may be available to cover the costs of child care. Ask your apprenticeship program coordinator for more information.
California invests $26 million to recruit more women into construction careers
Discover the Trades
Building and construction trades offer diverse career paths, each with unique skills and opportunities. Below are only a few different trades where women are building successful careers, but there are so many crafts to discover.
Boilermakers
Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and equipment.
California Median Hourly Wage: $51.73
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Brickmasons
Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, tile, concrete to construct or repair walls, arches, and other structures.
California Median Hourly Wage: $31.39
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Carpenters
Build, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials
California Median Hourly Wage: $35.97
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Electricians
Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
California Median Hourly Wage: $36.86
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
California Median Hourly Wage: $66.03
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Insulators (Mechanical)
Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
California Median Hourly Wage: $57.64
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Iron and Steel Workers
Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structures to form completed structures or frameworks.
California Median Hourly Wage: $34.64
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Laborers (LiUNA)
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites.
California Median Hourly Wage: $29.11
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Operating Engineers
Operate of power construction equipment to excavate, move, and grade structures.
California Median Hourly Wage: $42.85
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Painters (Construction and Maintenance)
Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns.
California Median Hourly Wage: $27.62
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Pile Drivers
Operate pile drivers to retain walls and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.
California Median Hourly Wage: $50.94
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Plumbers, Pipefitters, Steamfitters, and Sprinklerfitters
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases.
California Median Hourly Wage: $32.88
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools.
California Median Hourly Wage: $30.90
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Roofers
Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials.
California Median Hourly Wage: $30.31
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Sheetmetal Workers
Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings.
California Median Hourly Wage: $38.28
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Truck (Heavy) and Tractor Operators
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
California Median Hourly Wage: $28.82
Occupation Facts
Source: O*NET 2024
Resources
- Women in Construction Advisory Committee
The Women in Construction Advisory Committee, works to increase the number of women, non-binary and underserved populations employed in the construction trades. The Committee evaluates pre-apprenticeship programs, develops marketing strategies for recruitment, provides contractor education recommendations, and reviews ERiCA grant activities. Their 2024 work plan focuses on improving access to registered pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships.
Website: - Tradeswomen Inc.
Founded in 1979, Tradeswomen Inc. is one of California’s first organizations for women in the trades. The organization offers workforce development services including community outreach, mentoring, childcare support, and partnerships with unions and employers to help women enter high-wage building trades careers.
Website: https://tradeswomen.org - WINTER (Women In Non-Traditional Employment Roles)
Founded in 1996 and based in Los Angeles/OrangeCounties, WINTER is a nonprofit organization that promotes gender equity in the construction industry by providing apprenticeship readiness training, case management, mentorship, job placement, and retention services to low-income women.
Website: https://www.winterwomen.org - National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
NAWIC provides career growth, industry resources, advocacy, and connectivity to more than 6,000 members and 120+ chapters nationwide. The organization helps women become leaders in the construction industry through education, technical skills building, support, and networking opportunities.
Website: https://nawic.org - National Taskforce on Tradeswomen's Issues
A coalition formed in 2011 to unite local, regional and national expertise and action to support tradeswomen in achieving access, opportunity, and equity in the construction industry and other skilled trades. The Taskforce promotes federal public policy, advocacy initiatives, and best practices in apprenticeship, training, workforce development, and job site equity.
Website: https://tradeswomentaskforce.org
File a Complaint
Did you know that apprentices have the right to appeal a program’s decision to terminate their agreement?
If you feel you have been wrongfully terminated from your registered apprenticeship program, complete an apprentice complaint form and mail it to:
The Division of Apprenticeship Standards
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1902
Oakland, CA 94612
September 2025