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Trump reverses progress for women in construction trades
The uphill battle to bring women into construction jobs could be lost under Trump
Tradeswomen have spent decades fighting for their place in the skilled trades. Now they’re suing the government over its DEI policies.
https://ncnewsline.com/2025/03/24/the-uphill-battle-to-bring-women-into-construction-jobs-could-be-lost-under-trump/
. . .
Under Biden, the Commerce Department announced its goal to bring a million women into construction jobs, and created a requirement that recipients of large federal grants for semiconductor manufacturing include a plan for child care. The administration had also passed two laws aimed at boosting infrastructure in the country, which created a demand for skilled workers.
It was the perfect storm of opportunity and funding to expand their programming to bring more women into the workforce. “Our placement numbers have never been higher,” Vellinga said. But when Donald Trump returned to the White House, the forward momentum collapsed almost overnight. In a fiery inauguration speech, he declared he would dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the government and create what he calls a color-blind, merit-based society. He promptly issued two executive orders calling DEI policies immoral and illegal and vowed to claw back funding.
Just two days later, CWIT received word that all of its federal grants were under review. These grants constitute 40 percent of CWIT’s budget, and the loss would jeopardize the future of the nonprofit’s work.
“We have complete whiplash,” Vellinga said.
Additionally, the tariffs have disrupted the construction industry, leading to a potential slowdown in projects and consequentially less need for workers, she said.
The nonprofit, whose participants overwhelmingly identify as Black and Latina women, offers pre-apprenticeship training covering topics like workplace safety and basic technical skills. It also partners with unions and industry leaders to advocate for workplaces free of discrimination and harassment, and trains employers in how to make construction sites more inclusive of women.
Under Biden, the Commerce Department announced its goal to bring a million women into construction jobs, and created a requirement that recipients of large federal grants for semiconductor manufacturing include a plan for child care. The administration had also passed two laws aimed at boosting infrastructure in the country, which created a demand for skilled workers.
It was the perfect storm of opportunity and funding to expand their programming to bring more women into the workforce. “Our placement numbers have never been higher,” Vellinga said. But when Donald Trump returned to the White House, the forward momentum collapsed almost overnight. In a fiery inauguration speech, he declared he would dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the government and create what he calls a color-blind, merit-based society. He promptly issued two executive orders calling DEI policies immoral and illegal and vowed to claw back funding.
Just two days later, CWIT received word that all of its federal grants were under review. These grants constitute 40 percent of CWIT’s budget, and the loss would jeopardize the future of the nonprofit’s work.
“We have complete whiplash,” Vellinga said.
Additionally, the tariffs have disrupted the construction industry, leading to a potential slowdown in projects and consequentially less need for workers, she said.
The nonprofit, whose participants overwhelmingly identify as Black and Latina women, offers pre-apprenticeship training covering topics like workplace safety and basic technical skills. It also partners with unions and industry leaders to advocate for workplaces free of discrimination and harassment, and trains employers in how to make construction sites more inclusive of women.
1 replies
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I guess that will be gone too. Rip away training and opportunity to lift people out of poverty. Then dismantle safety nets such as TANF, WIC, Housing assistance and Medicaid. Then if they end up homeless and live on the street - arrest them for being poor and not having a safe place to sleep.
This is Govt functioning at its best. 