The U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau has a long history of encouraging women to pursue jobs with good pay and benefits. Many of these jobs are in nontraditional occupations (or NTO) for women. Any occupation in which women comprise 25 percent or less of its total employment is considered nontraditional.
When we think of nontraditional fields, it's often the blue collar jobs that come to mind. We picture strenuous, dirty or dangerous work - construction jobs, mechanics, welders - but in fact NTOs are found in all major occupational groups.
In 1997, for example, women made up less than 25 percent of all architects (17.7 percent), dentists (17.4 percent), drafters (16.7 percent), electronic or electrical technicians (14.3 percent), clergy (13.7 percent), engineers (9.6 percent), airplane pilots (0.8 percent), and many others. In fact, the job title President of the United States is an NTO - for now.
In the early 1990s, Congress passed important legislation to help women increase their earning capacity and self-sufficiency via entrance into nontraditional work. In 1991 the Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) Act was passed, requiring all states to increase the number of females trained in NTOs. The Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Act, initiated in 1992, has awarded over $2 million in grants to over 1,000 community-based organizations throughout the U.S. These funds are used to provide on-site technical assistance, training and job placement of more women in NTOs.
One nontraditional work program, Milwaukee Women in the Trades (WITT), trained women to meet their local demand for machinists, welders, carpenters and printers. The participants first completed a three-week introductory class in math, physical conditioning, tool identification, and hands-on experience. Then they entered vocational training school. WITT served as a liaison to employers interested in hiring the graduates. These women entered jobs that are expected to pay $30,000 to $50,000 annually within five years. By contrast, the 20 leading occupations for employed women (including secretaries, cashiers, nurses, health aides, teachers, waitresses, etc.) pay an average of $22,400 per year.
While more women than ever are entering historically masculine occupations, it isn't always easy once they actually start the job. Those who survive and succeed will need strong determination, a sense of humor, and a positive frame of mind. The work culture in some nontraditional settings, especially blue collar work sites, are strikingly different from most work environments women have experienced.
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