As part of efforts to become more interdisciplinary, socially embedded, and innovative, leaders of a large college of education reimagined a program originally designed to retain struggling students to target students interested in nontraditional educational careers (e.g., nonprofits). Researchers in this study explore reasons why this program has…

All-girl engineering workshops are increasing in popularity as a means to attract females into the male-dominated field of engineering. However, the effectiveness of such workshops as a recruitment tool is unclear. This report summarizes several research studies on this topic with the intent of showing the effectiveness of such workshops and other…

The "Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV)" continues a longstanding federal investment in career and technical education (CTE) through grants to states and subgrants to local entities such as local education agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs). As the fourth reauthorization of a…

The "Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV)" reinforces a longstanding federal commitment to supporting career and technical education (CTE). Although federal contributions account for only a fraction of total state and local spending on CTE, federal policy has had, and continues to have, a large…

The operation of the U.S. Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training was examined to determine the following: (1) the use of apprenticeship to train workers; (2) federal and state resources dedicated to administering apprenticeship; and (3) the representation of minorities and women in apprenticeship. Information was obtained from the U.S. Department…

Describes a program that reaches out to displaced homemakers and gives them the support they need to enter nontraditional training and jobs. Discusses program content, funding, and enrollment; an introductory displaced homemaker class; recruitment methods; career exploration; support services; dropout prevention methods; job placement; and…

Describes Project ENOVATE (Exploring Nontraditional Occupations in Vocational and Technical Education), which provided field-based business and industry experience for 70 Arizona counselors. The training focused on career awareness, exploration, assessment, and decision making in new, emerging, and nontraditional areas. (JAC)

The Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) project was developed to increase female enrollments at North Lake College (NLC) in Irving, Texas, and thereby provide women with marketable skills in building maintenance/repair and encourage their continued training in a related two-year nontraditional technical program. Of the 21 students recruited into the…

The NEW (Nontraditional Employment for Women Act) Work for Women project at Dundalk Community College (DCC) encourages and assists women in entering nontraditional fields, especially the building and construction trades. The program provides comprehensive services in outreach and awareness of nontraditional careers, career counseling, education,…

This study, a sequel to the 1989-93 Louisiana enrollment status report, compares 1993-94 and prior-year student enrollment in programs that are not traditional for their gender. It identifies the practices, barriers, and achievements of special groups in the area of sex equity and summarizes the state's observed achievements toward sex equity.…

During 1996, a total of 806 New Jersey single parents and displaced homemakers participated in 21 programs that were funded with Perkins Act set-aside funds and designed to provide participants with the educational services and occupational training needed to obtain high-wage, high-skill and nontraditional occupational education training. The…

In Nevada, equity projects funded through the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act and administered by the Nevada Department of Education provide program improvement, occupational preparation, training, resources, and activities designed to address the needs of all students. Although the emphasis has been on females, in particular…

The purpose of a study was to assess the long-term effects of the Orientation to Nontraditional Occupations for Women (ONOW) training in reference to job retention and wages. The study determined the long-term job retention rate of ONOW completers, their current work status, the amount and type of additional training since ONOW, and their level of…

Bridging the gap between women who need to support themselves and the employers who need a skilled work force is an Ohio program called Orientation to Nontraditional Occupations for Women (ONOW). The ONOW program is a 208-hour vocational program that introduces women to occupations in such industries as the following: manufacturing/production;…

Few researchers have studied the female dropout and too few dropout prevention programs are specifically designed to help girls complete high school. This paper describes programs and state policy initiatives that show promise in helping young women complete their education. They are used by schools and outside organizations to serve and encourage…