Department of Labor: Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program

Current and Former Grantees: Recipients of WANTO Act grant program funds awarded under the FY 2020 FOA are NOT eligible to apply for a FY 2021 WANTO grant. These former grantees will be eligible to apply again in FY 2022. Recipients of funds awarded under previous WANTO Act grant programs outside of those who were awarded funds under the FY 2020 FOA are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. Former WANTO Act grantees must explain, in their “Statement of Need” (see Section IV.B.3), how their proposed TA activities are materially different from those already performed using funds awarded through a WANTO Act grant program. Though materially different, these activities can still build on past performance activities, strengthening or bolstering them, to achieve further results.

This program aims to provide technical assistance (TA) to employers and labor unions to encourage employment of women in both apprenticeable occupations and nontraditional occupations (A/NTO), specifically in the following ways:

•           Developing (establishing, expanding, and/or enhancing) pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, or other nontraditional skills training programs designed to prepare women for careers in A/NTO;

•           Providing ongoing orientations or other resources for employers, unions, and workers on creating a successful environment for women in A/NTO; and/or

•           Setting up support groups, facilitating networks, and/or providing supportive services (as defined in section IV.E.3) for women in A/NTO to improve their retention.