Weekly Roundup of the news on women and supportive services in job training programs.

By Rachel Linn

Job training can provide an entry into family-sustaining jobs and careers. Many women in job training programs, however, face obstacles to success. Wraparound services—such as child care assistance, access to public benefits, and transportation or housing assistance—can help adults, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, to complete programs that will ultimately improve their economic standing.

November 30, 2015

Campus Technology: Associates Degree or Cert in CTE Leads to Higher Earnings

People in California who earn a career technical education (CTE) degree or certificate from a community college earn more money — an average increase in income of 33 percent or 13 to 22 percent overall, respectively. Those are two findings from a research project undertaken by the Center for Poverty Research at the University of California, Davis.

The research also found that student characteristics across programs translated into different returns and outcomes. Because women “were much more likely than men to enter health programs,” the policy brief noted, “their average return was higher.” Driven by those high returns, women’s income increased 42 percent with an associate’s degree, compared to 21 percent for men. Women, however, were also more likely to enter the programs with the lowest returns, such as childcare.

 November 30, 2015

Omaha Public Radio: Partnership of Women’s Foundations Pledge $100 Million to Create Pathways to Economic Security

“We are going to be looking at job training, financial literacy, and child care initiatives. These are things that we know help women attain economic self-sufficiency, programs that really help women be able to take care of their families and their communities.”

November 20, 2015

NW Labor Press: Apprenticeship gets some long-overdue recognition

At 6.9 percent, Oregon has more than double the national rate of women in construction trades apprenticeships. According to Connie Ashbrook, executive director of OTI, registered apprenticeship programs in the Portland metropolitan area that her organization partners with have nearly 10 percent women, on average.

Charlie Johnson, business manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 16, said journeyman sheet metal workers make $38 an hour, with “unparalleled” fringe benefits that include a pension and full medical benefits. “I don’t think there are too many opportunities outside the construction trades that offer that kind of income,” Johnson said.

To view more of IWPR’s research, visit IWPR.org