Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Grant - She Drives the Future
Funding Amount
$750,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Grant
Funder: U.S. Department of Labor
Award Amount: $750,000
Status: Awarded January 21, 2026
Geographic Scope: Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Racine, Northeast Wisconsin, Northwest Wisconsin)
Program Name: She Drives the Future
Overview
A two-year grant supporting expansion of She Drives the Future, a 12-week pre-apprenticeship program combining Entry-Level Construction Skills (ELCS) training curriculum with commercial driver's license (CDL) preparation. The program addresses persistent workforce shortages in construction, transportation, and skilled trades while increasing women's representation in these industries.- Training women for family-sustaining careers as commercial drivers and union skilled tradesworkers
- Diversifying the construction and transportation workforce
- Providing training at no cost to participants
- Supporting at least 60 Wisconsin women through the program
Key Focus Areas
- Women (historically underrepresented in construction and CDL careers)
- Women represent only 9% of construction workers and 6% of CDL holders in Wisconsin
Target Population
- Industry-recognized certifications
- Hands-on training
- CDL permit preparation
- New driver orientation and assessment
- Classroom instruction
- OSHA certification
- First aid/CPR certification
- Hands-on projects
- Incentive payments for meeting program milestones
Program Components
- Initial cohorts: Milwaukee and Racine (2026)
- Expansion: Northeast and Northwest Wisconsin (2027)
Geographic Expansion
- Milwaukee: (414) 342-9787 | milwaukee@wrtp.org
- Southeast (Racine): (262) 619-6560 | southeast@wrtp.org
- Northwest: (920) 961-2159 | northwest@wrtp.org
- Northeast: (920) 961-2159 | northeast@wrtp.org
- Website: wrtp.org
Contact Information
WRTP | BIG STEPHow to Apply
How to Apply
1. Register for Information Session
- Register online at: https://wrtp.org/series/she-drives-the-future-female-only-elcscdl-class-a-information-session
- Information sessions available for Milwaukee program
- Additional info sessions for Racine and northern Wisconsin scheduled for later in 2026
2. Enrollment Process
- Attend information session
- Complete enrollment application
- Begin 12-week pre-apprenticeship training
3. Program Participation
- Attend full 12-week curriculum
- Complete all required certifications and training modules
- Eligible to test for CDL general knowledge certification
- Receive job placement support after completion
- Free training (no cost to participants)
- Stipends during training
- Incentive payments for program milestones
- Job placement assistance post-graduation
Support Provided
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
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