The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) grant helps to expand pathways for women to enter and lead in all industries.
Organizations receiving funds will provide one or more of the following types of technical assistance:
- Developing pre-apprenticeship or nontraditional skills training programs to prepare women for those careers;
- Providing ongoing orientations for employers, unions, and workers on creating a successful environment for women to succeed in those careers; and
- Setting up support groups, facilitating networks, or providing support services for women to improve their retention.
Read the news release, frequently asked questions, and 2023 funding opportunity announcement, which outlines the 2023 program priorities and evaluation factors.
N’Tasha Hunt
"Pre-apprenticeship is a good stepping stone... You can excel if you put in the effort."
Pre-Apprenticeship Graduate, Iron Workers Local 549
Hannah Hogg
"The confidence I've gained in myself has been invaluable."
IBEW Local 532
Josie Johnson
"Pre-apprenticeship prepares women for work in what is still a dominantly male work field."
Step Up for Women Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Graduate
Sierra Smith
"If I can encourage one woman to consider working in the trades, I'm happy."
IBEW Local 768
Past Recipients
In 2020, the WANTO grant program awarded $4,100,000 to six community-based organizations to increase women's employment in apprenticeship programs and nontraditional occupations.
Organizations receiving funds will provide one or more of the following types of technical assistance:
- Developing pre-apprenticeship or nontraditional skills training programs to prepare women for those careers;
- Providing ongoing orientations for employers, unions, and workers on creating a successful environment for women to succeed in those careers; and
- Setting up support groups, facilitating networks, or providing support services for women to improve their retention.
In 2020, the Women's Bureau awarded grants to the following organizations:
- Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Employment for Women
- Center for Employment Training
- Chicago Women in Trades
- Gang Alternatives Inc.
- Goodwill Industries of East Texas Inc.
- Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties Inc.
Read the news release, blog post, frequently asked questions, and 2020 funding opportunity announcement, which outlines the 2020 program priorities and evaluation factors.
In 2019, the WANTO grant program awarded $1,492,515 to three community-based organizations to increase women's employment in apprenticeship programs and nontraditional occupations.
Organizations receiving funds will provide one or more of the following types of technical assistance:
- Developing pre-apprenticeship or nontraditional skills training programs to prepare women for those careers;
- Providing ongoing orientations for employers, unions, and workers on creating a successful environment for women to succeed in those careers; and
- Setting up support groups, facilitating networks, and/or providing support services for women to improve their retention.
In 2019, the Women’s Bureau awarded grants to the following entities:
- Chicago Women in Trades
- Hampton Roads Workforce Council
- Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership Inc.
Read the press release, the blog post, and 2019 Funding Opportunity Announcement, which outline the 2019 program priorities and evaluation factors.
In 2018, the WANTO grant program awarded $1,403,190 to the following community-based organizations:
- Community Services Agency Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO
- Aroostook County Action Program Inc.
- Chicago Women in Trades
- Vermont Works for Women
The WANTO grant program is administered by the Department’s Women's Bureau and the Employment and Training Administration.