The NWLC joined the National Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues, Equal Rights Advocates, Chicago Women in Trades, Institute for Women’s Policy Research, and key experts to submit a comment opposing the Trump DOL’s proposed rule that would gut critically important protections designed to help break down barriers for women and workers of color to access apprenticeship training programs. Seventy-seven organizations joined the comments submitted on September 2. The proposed rule rescinds proactive measures and anti-discrimination requirements in apprenticeship programs.

Although women comprise nearly half of the labor force, only 14.4 percent of active registered apprentices in fiscal year 2024 were women, with an even smaller percentage in federally registered construction apprenticeship programs. These apprenticeship programs can provide a pathway to high-paying jobs in construction and other skilled trades, industries in which women remain significantly underrepresented. Shutting women out of these opportunities for good jobs and benefits closes off avenues to economic security for women and their families. Read the full comment here.