department of labor apprenticeship

Numerous several years back, I labored as a contracted undertaking coordinator for a St. Paul, MN-based non-profit. The task was primarily based on a U.S. Office of Labor grant created to shift more girls into male-dominated positions in just the auto service field. The certain positions we centered on ended up automobile service technician, aka mechanic, provider advisers (produce up the repair get), and pieces workers (offer automobile pieces).

The task lasted 3 years and element of my part was to meet with provider supervisors at Twin Towns centered auto dealerships to stimulate them to recruit and keep gals in the positions described earlier mentioned. I have to acknowledge it was the most remarkable job I have labored on! The targets integrated raising awareness of careers in the vehicle service sector, raising enrollment and retention of the variety of women in auto support plans at regional complex and neighborhood colleges, and raising the quantity of females doing the job in nontraditional roles inside the car services market.

Steerage by way of Advisory Committee

We formed an advisory committee consisting of a agent from the area union, an apprenticeship agent, a feminine vehicle service technician, an auto services technician instructor, a representative from the area auto dealers association, and the two of us functioning on the undertaking. The goal of the advisory committee was to deliver advice toward achieving our aims and also to help troubleshoot and challenge solve.

Gender Stereotypes

Whilst some of the dealerships experienced a “token” girl in a single of the male-dominated roles, several did not. A person assistance manager with whom I fulfilled reported to me, “We hired a lady at the time and she did not perform out.” I was flabbergasted! It seems that he noticed that “a person” lady as symbolizing all girls and for the reason that she didn’t do the job out, there’s no use seeking a different woman. Biting my tongue, I considered to myself, what about the males that failed to operate out?

Inaugural Networking Event

As component of the task, we coordinated a first of its type networking party for women in the auto company sector. Invites ended up despatched out to women working in the male-dominated roles. A notable female operator of a main Minneapolis dependent car dealership was the keynote speaker, encouraging the girls attendees to proceed adhering to their passion. Quite a few of the participants commented on what a fantastic night it was to be all-around other women in the industry, as frequently they may be the only feminine at their dealership, with the exception of administrative employees.

Occupation Open up House

One more party that we place with each other was a vocation open up residence to supply female substantial faculty pupils the opportunity to understand far more about occupations in the vehicle services marketplace. We collaborated with a neighborhood technological university that features an car assistance application. Two graduates of the system spoke about their experience operating in the field. Attendees ended up provided a tour of the division and participated in a hands-on exercise that involved disassembling and reassembling a steering component.

Supplied a very long leash, the other job coordinator and I had been granted the liberty to “do what it normally takes” to meet up with our ambitions- which were being constantly met and normally exceeded. I hope you can use some of these strategies for developing awareness of your nontraditional CTE class or program.