Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA WB 24 00
The FY24 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program is a discretionary federal grant offered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Womens Bureau (CFDA 17.701). Its core purpose is to expand and strengthen the participation, employment, and long-term retention of women in apprenticeable and nontraditional occupations (A/NTO) across the United States and its territories. Instead of funding employers directly to hire workers, the program is designed to fund community-based organizations that can deliver practical, targeted technical assistance to employers (including public sector employers) and to labor unions so those workplaces and training pathways become more accessible, supportive, and successful for women entering fields where they have historically been underrepresented or pushed into lower-wage roles.
The technical assistance activities supported by WANTO fall into three main lanes. First, grantees can help develop, expand, or enhance pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, and other nontraditional skills training programs that prepare women to enter A/NTO careers. This can include improving program design, strengthening connections between training and hiring, building recruitment pipelines, and ensuring training is aligned with real workplace needs. Second, the grant supports ongoing orientations, training, and resources for employers, unions, and workers that focus on creating a work environment where women can thrive, which often means addressing workplace culture, onboarding, supervision practices, jobsite expectations, and policies that affect belonging, safety, and advancement. Third, the program supports efforts that directly improve retention, such as setting up peer support groups, building networks, and delivering supportive services (as defined in the FOA) that reduce common barriers to staying in training and on the job.
Applicants are encouraged to propose technical assistance that reaches across the full range of industries where women remain underrepresented or concentrated in lower-paid roles. The opportunity specifically names sectors such as advanced manufacturing, construction, energy, health care, information technology, finance, and transportation, while also leaving room for additional industries that fit the program goals. A major emphasis is placed on equity-focused strategies, including stronger outreach and recruitment for historically underrepresented communities. The FOA highlights, among others, women of color, women with disabilities, women at or below the federal poverty line, formerly incarcerated women, immigrant women, transgender women, and women in rural areas. The program states clearly that the terms "woman" and "women" are to be interpreted in the most inclusive manner, with participant eligibility inclusive of transgender women and non-binary individuals.
Another notable priority is alignment with major federal investment initiatives. Applicants are encouraged to propose work that accelerates state and local government agency efforts to improve womens inclusion and equity in projects funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, or other federal funding streams. In practice, this means WANTO funds can be used to help ensure that large-scale, publicly funded infrastructure and economic development projects translate into real apprenticeship access, job placement, and career growth for women in the skilled trades and other nontraditional fields tied to those investments.
Eligibility is limited to applicants that meet the FOAs definition of a community-based organization (CBO). The eligible applicant types listed include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and other entities as allowed under the announcement, but the key gate is that the applicant must qualify as a CBO under the FOA. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $750,000, and the agency anticipated making about 17 awards. The funding opportunity number is FOA WB 24 00. The opportunity was created on April 11, 2024, and the original closing date for applications was June 10, 2024.Apply for FOA WB 24 00
- The Womens Bureau in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY24 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.701.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-10. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 17 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others.
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FY24 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program - FAQs
What is the FY24 WANTO Technical Assistance Grant Program?
The FY24 Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program is a discretionary federal grant offered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau (CFDA 17.701). The program funds technical assistance that helps expand and strengthen the participation, employment, and long-term retention of women in apprenticeable and nontraditional occupations (A/NTO) across the United States and its territories.
Who is the funding agency?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Women's Bureau.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 17.701.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is FOA WB 24 00.
What is the main purpose of WANTO?
The core purpose is to expand and strengthen the participation, employment, and long-term retention of women in A/NTO fields, especially where women have historically been underrepresented or concentrated in lower-wage roles.
Does WANTO fund employers directly to hire workers?
No. The program is not designed to fund employers directly to hire workers. Instead, it funds community-based organizations that provide practical, targeted technical assistance to employers (including public sector employers) and to labor unions.
Who are the intended recipients of technical assistance?
Technical assistance is delivered to employers (including public sector employers) and labor unions, with the goal of making workplaces and training pathways more accessible, supportive, and successful for women entering A/NTO careers.
What kinds of activities does WANTO support?
The FOA describes three main lanes of technical assistance activities: (1) developing, expanding, or enhancing pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, and other nontraditional skills training programs; (2) providing orientations, training, and resources for employers, unions, and workers to improve workplace environment and culture; and (3) improving retention through peer support groups, networks, and supportive services (as defined in the FOA).
What training pathways or program types can be supported?
Supported pathways include pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, and other nontraditional skills training programs that prepare women for A/NTO careers.
What does "technical assistance" look like under this program?
Based on the FOA description, technical assistance may include improving program design, strengthening connections between training and hiring, building recruitment pipelines, aligning training with workplace needs, and delivering orientations and training on workplace practices and policies that affect belonging, safety, and advancement.
Is retention a required focus of WANTO activities?
Retention is a major component of the supported activities. The FOA explicitly includes efforts that improve retention, such as peer support groups, networks, and supportive services that reduce barriers to staying in training and on the job.
What workplace issues can WANTO-funded technical assistance address?
The FOA indicates a focus on work environments where women can thrive, including workplace culture, onboarding, supervision practices, jobsite expectations, and policies that influence belonging, safety, and advancement.
Which industries are included or encouraged?
Applicants are encouraged to reach across industries where women remain underrepresented or concentrated in lower-paid roles. The FOA specifically names advanced manufacturing, construction, energy, health care, information technology, finance, and transportation, while also allowing additional industries that fit the program goals.
What populations are emphasized for outreach and equity-focused strategies?
The FOA emphasizes equity-focused strategies and stronger outreach and recruitment for historically underrepresented communities, including women of color, women with disabilities, women at or below the federal poverty line, formerly incarcerated women, immigrant women, transgender women, and women in rural areas.
How does the FOA define "women" for participant eligibility?
The FOA states that the terms "woman" and "women" are to be interpreted in the most inclusive manner, with participant eligibility inclusive of transgender women and non-binary individuals.
Does WANTO encourage alignment with other federal investment initiatives?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to propose work that aligns with major federal investment initiatives, including projects funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, or other federal funding streams.
What does alignment with these federal initiatives mean in practice?
As described, WANTO funds can be used to help ensure that large-scale, publicly funded infrastructure and economic development projects translate into real apprenticeship access, job placement, and career growth for women in the skilled trades and other nontraditional fields tied to those investments.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited to applicants that meet the FOA's definition of a community-based organization (CBO). Eligible applicant types listed include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and other entities as allowed under the announcement, but the applicant must qualify as a CBO under the FOA.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
The eligible nonprofit categories are listed as "other than institutions of higher education," and eligibility is limited to entities that meet the FOA definition of a community-based organization (CBO).
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $750,000.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipated making about 17 awards.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on April 11, 2024.
What was the application closing date?
The original closing date for applications was June 10, 2024.
Is this opportunity available nationwide?
Yes. The program purpose and scope are described as covering the United States and its territories.
Does the grant support work with public sector employers?
Yes. The FOA explicitly notes that technical assistance can be provided to employers, including public sector employers.
Does WANTO support work with labor unions?
Yes. The program is designed to fund community-based organizations that provide technical assistance to labor unions as well as employers.
Are supportive services allowable under this grant?
The FOA states that the program supports retention-related efforts including delivering supportive services, as defined in the FOA.
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|---|
| State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Apply for FOA ETA 24 03 Funding Number: FOA ETA 24 03 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
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| Growth Opportunities - Rounds 4 and 5 Apply for FOA ETA 24 06 Funding Number: FOA ETA 24 06 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $5,100,000 |
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| Job Corps Information Technology Academy/Hub Apply for FOA ETA 24 16 Funding Number: FOA ETA 24 16 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Information Technology (IT) Implementation and Support Funding for Senior Community Service Employment (SCSEP) State and Territorial Grantees for Program Year (PY) 2023 Apply for ETA TEGL 08 23 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 08 23 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) Grants for Career Services and Training Apply for FOA ETA 24 15 Funding Number: FOA ETA 24 15 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) National Grants Competition for Program Year (PY) 2024 Apply for FOA ETA 24 11 Funding Number: FOA ETA 24 11 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $50,000,000 |
| Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Optional Demonstration Grants on Sector-Based Training for Low-Income Older Adult Workers Apply for FOA ETA 24 12 Funding Number: FOA ETA 24 12 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Apprenticeship Building America, Round 2 (ABA2) Apply for FOA ETA 24 04 Funding Number: FOA ETA 24 04 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
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| Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 6: A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border Regions Apply for FOA ETA 24 08 Funding Number: FOA ETA 24 08 Agency: Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
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| Improving Labor Law Enforcement in the Kingdom of Lesotho Apply for FOA ILAB 15 12 Funding Number: FOA ILAB 15 12 Agency: Bureau of International Labor Affairs Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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