Independent college students’ life circumstances, and in turn their college experiences, are often dramatically different than those of dependent students. Viewing higher education policies and programs through the lens of independent students, with their often-complex schedules and financial and family responsibilities, is important to increasing college access and success, since so many students are financially independent.

Women have a chance at economic security only when they have access to high-quality jobs with fair wages. Financial security and sustainability for women is the mission of the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi, and we are happy to commission and share this report.

Women have a chance at economic security only when they have access to high-quality jobs with fair wages. Financial security and sustainability for women is the mission of the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi, and we are happy to commission and share this report.

The Number of Student Parents Enrolled in College is Growing

A highly skilled trade, unionized ironworkers begin their careers as apprentices, benefiting from a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. Over the course of a three-year apprenticeship, an ironworker in Chicago will go from an hourly wage of $27.72 to $46.20. A hefty benefit package adds almost another $35 per/hr. to cover health and retirement benefits.

Led by Leah Rambo, a veteran sheet metal worker and the program’s first female apprenticeship director, local 28 has seen dramatic improvements in women’s participation in apprenticeship, increasing the overall percentage from 3 percent at the beginning of 2011 to 11 percent in 2017, and achieving a rate of 16% for new apprentices entering the program in 2017.