🚨 Funding alert:

2026 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program — U.S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau.

The 2026 WANTO Technical Assistance Grant Program is designed to increase the recruitment, training, retention, and advancement of women in quality pre-apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, and other nontraditional occupations where women remain underrepresented. The program supports community-based organizations that can help employers, unions, and workforce partners create more inclusive pathways into high-demand careers.

This year’s opportunity continues the federal focus on expanding women’s participation in apprenticeship and workforce systems, with additional emphasis on industries such as Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technology, mining, shipbuilding, and the Defense Industrial Base.

🔧 What it supports:

Funding supports technical assistance activities that help women enter and succeed in apprenticeship and nontraditional occupations. Eligible activities include developing or expanding pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship pathways, providing employer and union training on creating successful environments for women, and establishing support networks and retention-focused services.

🎯 Key focus areas include:

  • Expanding pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for women
  • Increasing participation in nontraditional occupations where women represent less than 25% of workers
  • Employer and labor union engagement and technical assistance
  • Retention strategies, peer support networks, and supportive services
  • Workforce pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, AI, IT, mining, shipbuilding, and defense-related industries

💡 Why it matters:

WANTO provides an opportunity for workforce, education, and community organizations to address persistent gender gaps in high-wage, high-growth career pathways. The funding can help strengthen apprenticeship ecosystems, improve workforce equity outcomes, and build sustainable talent pipelines for industries facing ongoing workforce shortages.

Organizations exploring this funding opportunity should start planning early. The New Growth Team can help assess alignment, shape a competitive workforce strategy, and support grant writing efforts to build a strong WANTO proposal. Reach out for a conversation about positioning your organization for success.