The U.S. House has advanced legislation to increase the number of women in apprenticeship programs, which are designed to improve skills training.
The amendment increases funding for Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) grants.
“In my home state of Oregon, I have seen how apprenticeships can help women enter the building trades and lead to success in the field,” Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) said. Bonamici, along with Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) have championed the bill as members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee.
“Our bipartisan amendment will increase funding for the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations grants, which will help more employers and organizations train, place, and retain women in apprenticeships and good-paying jobs. Because of this funding, tradeswomen in Oregon will have additional support and assistance getting the skills they need to advance their careers,” Bonamici said.
Stefanik said apprenticeships will help provide career opportunities for women in manufacturing, transportation or construction.
“By delivering this funding to programs in our district and across the country, we can help support women entering these crucial fields and support important apprenticeship programs that train our workers. I thank Congresswoman Bonamici for her leadership on this issue,” Stefanik said.
Krishnamoorthi said the legislation will help more women develop the in-demand skills they need for good-paying jobs.