California’s $26 Million Grant for Women in Construction Apprenticeships

Sacramento, California – The California Department of Industrial Relations has allocated $26 million in grants aimed at enhancing the participation of women and disadvantaged communities in construction apprenticeship programs. Named the Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) grants, this funding will support a total of 25 construction apprenticeship programs throughout the state.

This initiative marks the second round of ERiCA grant funding; previously, $25 million was distributed to 19 programs. The aim of these grants is to enhance recruitment, support, and retention of workers in the construction industry, ultimately broadening access to these valuable trade skills.

Among the highlighted recipients of the latest funding are:

• Cerritos College: Awarded $1.25 million to bolster its field ironwork apprenticeship program.
• Los Angeles and Orange Counties Building Trades Council Apprenticeship Readiness Fund: Received $2.5 million to improve childcare options, recruitment efforts, and foster a better worksite culture.
• Associated Builders and Contractors of Southern California: Awarded $550,000, with targets set to double the number of women enrolled in its programs within a two-year timeframe.

In a bid to further attract women into trade professions, a new program is set to commence on April 7 in Northern California. This all-women’s Multi Craft Core Curriculum apprentice readiness program, lasting six weeks, will offer participants hands-on training across nearly 20 trade fields, in addition to safety training and essential math skills.

The State Building and Construction Trades Council (SJBTC) is actively seeking applicants for this program, which is designed to facilitate women’s success in union apprenticeship pathways within the construction sector. Labor Secretary Natalie Palugyai emphasized that California must significantly increase the number of apprentices to meet Governor Gavin Newsom’s ambitious target of training 500,000 apprentices by 2029.

The state government has earmarked $15 million in the upcoming budget year for a “Women in Construction Priority Program,” reflecting a commitment to enhancing diversity within this traditionally male-dominated industry. This budget will also include “innovation funding” to scale apprenticeship intermediaries, as well as provide funding for supplemental instruction equating to community college courses.

Despite the high demand for workers in construction, women represented only 4% of California apprentices in construction trades as of 2021. Furthermore, participation rates for women in construction apprenticeships have been on a downward trend since the early 2000s, a decline believed to be partially influenced by the state’s affirmative action ban.

Efforts such as WINTER (Women in Non-Traditional Employment Roles) particularly target women’s access to construction apprenticeships, but the program has faced numerous challenges, including pandemic-induced setbacks, such as the cancellation of training cohorts and the loss of training venues. WINTER’s Executive Director has highlighted the unstable living conditions affecting potential trainees as a major concern.

For women desiring to transition into the building trades, a reliable support system including case managers is vital to enhance their chances of success in this sector. Increased efforts in marketing and community outreach are essential to attract more women to consider and pursue careers in construction.

As the state ramps up its commitment to diversifying the construction workforce, the ERiCA grants and accompanying programs represent a significant stepping stone towards creating a more equitable environment in the skilled trades.