WANTO Grants banner

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 2023 funding opportunity announcement, which outlines the 2023 program priorities and evaluation factors, the news release and the frequently asked questions.


2023 Recipients

In 2023, the WANTO grant program awarded $5 million to seven community-based organizations to increase women’s participation in apprenticeship programs and nontraditional occupations:

Read the news release.


Past Recipients

In 2022, the WANTO grant program awarded $3,400,000 to the following five community-based organizations:

Read the news release, frequently asked questions, and 2022 funding opportunity announcement, which outlines the 2022 program priorities and evaluation factors.


In 2021, the WANTO grant program awarded $3,349,936 to the following five community-based organizations:

Read the news release, frequently asked questions and funding opportunity announcement, which outlines the 2021 program priorities and evaluation factors.


In 2020, the WANTO grant program awarded $4,100,000 to the following six community-based organizations:

Read the news releasefrequently asked questions and funding opportunity announcement, which outlines the 2020 program priorities and evaluation factors.


In 2019, the WANTO grant program awarded $1,492,515 to the following three community-based organizations:

Read the press release and the funding opportunity announcement, which outlines the 2019 program priorities and evaluation factors.


In 2018, the WANTO grant program awarded $1,403,190 to the following four community-based organizations:

N’Tasha Hunt

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

Hannah Hogg

"The confidence I've gained in myself has been invaluable."
IBEW Local 532

Josie Johnson

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

Sierra Smith

"If I can encourage one woman to consider working in the trades, I'm happy."
IBEW Local 768