Construction is an overwhelmingly male-dominated industry. In 2024, just 11.2% of US construction workers were female, and in California, only 4% of building trades apprentices were women. To address this imbalance and create conditions conducive to women working in the industry, the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has announced $13 million in funding available through the Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) grant.
The grant, managed by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS), represents the second round of funding to expand opportunities for women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in the construction industry.
In a press release, DIR director Katie Hagen said, “DIR’s apprenticeship programs embody California’s commitment to fostering a diverse workforce that enhances productivity and strengthens the economy. The grant funding announced today will continue our efforts to advance equity and inclusion while meeting critical labor market demands in high-need industries.”
Rather than simply focusing on ramped-up recruitment efforts, the ERiCA grant strives to help prospective female applicants address barriers to joining apprenticeship programs, such as childcare costs. The grant program assists working mothers with childcare costs by providing funding for childcare and babysitting services. By reducing or removing this barrier to training in the skilled trades, DIR can make it easier for women to pursue apprenticeship programs.
The ERiCA grant also provides funding to create a more welcoming, inclusive environment for women when they reach the job site. This training is crucial because, according to a 2021 survey, 26.5% of respondents experienced frequent harassment for being a woman, and 23.6% experienced “frequent sexual harassment.” This funding covers mentoring, mental health support, and anti-harassment training for all personnel on the construction site, from apprentices and laborers to contractors and managers.
Adele Burnes, acting chief of the DAS, said the grant would help level the playing field. “Building trades apprenticeships offer a significant opportunity for economic mobility,” she said. “This grant ensures that we are breaking down barriers and building awareness among women, non-binary individuals, and underrepresented populations in construction careers.”
In the first round of the ERiCA grant, $25 million of funding was shared between 19 programs, including Childcare Leading to Inclusion in Construction and Hard Hat Women’s Equity Education Initiative.
Those wishing to apply for the grant can now apply for the second round of grant funding by visiting https://www.dir.ca.gov/DAS/Grants/ERICA.html.
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