WANTO Grant Program

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.

2025 Recipients

In 2025, the WANTO grant program awarded $5 million to 7 community-based organizations to increase women’s participation in apprenticeship programs and nontraditional occupations:

• Building Futures
• CareerRise Inc
• Great Jobs KC, Inc.
• Keiki O Ka Aina Preschool
• King Youth Foundation
• Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership, Inc.
• Workforce Alliance Inc.

Read the 2025 funding opportunity announcement.

• 

  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