Secretary's Initiative To Support Women And Minorities In The Skilled Trades
■r:
1 •«* V
INTRODUCTION
Skilled trades jobs offer excellent wages, fringe benefits, flexible work schedules, job security and opportunities for career development and advancement. The Department of Labor is assisting women and minorities in exploring these career options through an integrated program which involves education, recruitment, retention and enforcement.
The skilled trades are generally in public utilities, construction and manufacturing, and include electricians, carpenters, machinists, auto mechanics, painters and other skilled workers.
Growth areas in the apprenticeable occupations include emergency medical technicians, child care providers and cooks. These occupations will continue to grow in demand as we approach the 21st Century.
The Secretary of Labor’s initiative began November 1990 and involves the cooperative efforts of four offices within the department:
♦	The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training
♦	The Women’s Bureau
♦	The Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Programs
♦	The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy MAJOR COMPONENTS
: : ! <r‘
, fv/\ Wtt
of
to* -Ory
1.	Recruitment
The Department of Labor has long been interested in helping women and minorities move into skilled trades and nontraditional occupations. The Secretary’s initiative advances the effort by targeting four specific are^, ,-p^-py ^.r
fUlNOIS LIBRARY
The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training’s (BAT) nationwide staff is disseminating information about the advantages of apprenticeships to the public. This program involves a full range of recruitment activities about education, training and employment. Efforts include informational materials, job fairs, conferences and marketing to women, minorities, employers, employer associations, high schools and guidance counselors.
The Women’s Bureau’s “Directory of Nontraditional Employment and Training Programs Serving Women” provides a list of resources to assist both employers and women who are interested in the skilled trades.
2.	Retention and Placement
The Women’s Bureau and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) are encouraging the expansion of model programs, such as the Federal Office Building projects and the Women in the Skilled Trades program operated by the Oakland Private Industry Council in Oakland, CA. Information on these programs is being provided to the National Tradeswomen Network and is featured in the Bureau’s Work and Family Clearinghouse which includes a database of various workforce quality categories such as promotions, education and training. For additional information employers can contact the Clearinghouse at 1-800-827-5335 or 1-800-523-0526.
D1F081T0AV
AT ltoana-chamf
UNIU AT 1)3.	Enforcement
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and BAT, in cooperation with the Women’s Bureau, developed joint training to improve enforcement and compliance of Title 29 CFR Part 30, the Equal Employment Opportunities in Apprenticeship regulations. The training program included workshops on compliance review procedures and covered all aspects of equal employment opportunities in apprenticeship and training. Training participants included BAT state directors and OFCCP district directors. These officials have replicated the training for their field staffs at regional and area office locations.
4.	Education and Technical Assistance
The regional offices are compiling and sharing examples of model programs in their areas so that everyone can benefit from the best practices available.
In addition, a multi-media campaign is getting underway to reach women, minorities, employers, unions, educators and others. This initiative is designed to attract women and minorities into the skilled trades and to build support for their entry and advancement in these fields through apprenticeship programs. The campaign includes brochures, public service announcements, print ads, news releases, articles, a video and other communication vehicles.
WHERE CAN YOU GET MORE INFORMATION?
To find out more about how you can get the skills that pay the
bills:
Read:
•	"Apprenticeship Past and Present"
•	"National Apprenticeship Program"
•	"Setting up an Apprenticeship Program" revised edition, available winter 1992
New Publications:
Specialized booklets on the Secretary's initiative to support women and minorities in the skilled trades, available fall 1992
Available From:
Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training U.S. Department of Labor Washington, D.C. 20210 (and your area regional office)
Read:
•	The Directory of Nontraditional Training and Employment Programs Serving Women
•	Facts on Working Women: Women in the Skilled Trades and in Other Manual Occupations
•	A Working Woman's Guide to Her Job Rights
You can get single copies of the above by sending a
self-addressed envelope to:
Women's Bureau
U.S. Department of Labor
Washington, D.C. 20210
Multiple copies of all publications listed may be purchased from:
Superintendent of Documents U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 (202) 783-3238
View:
A video on the Secretary's initiative to support women and minorities in the skilled trades, available fall 1992
Contact:
•	Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training in Washington, D.C., and Regional Offices
•	Women's Bureau National and Regional Offices
•	State Apprenticeship Agencies
•	Local Job Service Offices
•	Apprenticeship Information Centers
•	OFCCP Regional and District Offices
(All of the above are listed in local telephone directories under U.S. Government, State or local government listings.)
•	Unions and employers in a specific craft area
•	Your teachers or guidance counselor
•	A skilled worker in an occupation that interests you
This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 535-0545.
TDD Message Phone: 1-800-326-2577.
July 1992