b'Industry NewsLabor Department announces $1.9M funding opportunity to expand apprenticeships, support for women in nontraditional occupationsGrants seek to create regional,The centers will support efforts to increase the number multi-state resource centers of women entering into nontraditional occupations WASHINGTON, DCTheand Registered Apprenticeships. Services to current U.S. Department of Labor todayand potential sponsors of apprenticeship will include announced a $1.9 million grantproviding technical assistance and support related to:competition to recruit, trainDevelopment of connections with pre-apprenticeship and retain women in high-skillprograms to prepare women for Registered occupations, such as advancedApprenticeship programs.manufacturing, transportation,Orientations for employers on creating a successful energy, construction andenvironment for women in apprenticeship.information technology. The Women in ApprenticeshipIdentifying resources for supportive services including and Nontraditional Occupations program will fund thechild care, transportation, support groups and other grants. efforts to remove barriers to women succeeding in these Apprenticeships are a time-tested method for trainingindustries.workers with the skills needed to succeed in the jobsEligible applicants include community-based employers need most, but for too long these earn-while- organizations capable of establishing technical assistance you-learn opportunities have been too scarce for womenresources for Registered Apprenticeship programs to assist and other under-represented populations, said U.S.women to enter nontraditional occupations.Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. These grants will help to turn the tide and ensure that more women haveThe departments Womens Bureau and Office of the support and access they need to be successful in aApprenticeship are jointly administering the grants.variety of nontraditional careers. The solicitation for grant applications will be The department will award approximately four grantsavailable at http://www.grants.gov/. For information to community-based organizations to create regional,on the departments range of employment and training multi-state Technical Assistance Resource Centers.programs, visit http://www.doleta.gov/.MRCA NewsMRCA Continues Its Aggressive Promotion of CERTAThe CERTA (Certified Roofing Torch Applicator) training program is ideal for contractors whose work involves torch applications. The full-day program trains experienced roof system installers on the safe use of roofing torches used to apply polymer-modified bitumen roofing products. CERTA training shows how proper roof system configuration design and application techniques can result in fire-safe installations.The MRCA Board of Directors and T&R Committee recognize the importance of promoting torch application safety and has placed the marketing program for CERTA as a high priority.MRCA is involved with CERTA Applicator courses scheduled over the next 60 days, throughout the Midwest.Plans have already been finalized for MRCA to sponsor both CERTA Train-the Trainer; and Applicators courses at the MRCA Annual Conference and EXPO scheduled in Columbus, Ohio on November 2 and 3, 2016.Additional information on CERTA can bePictured above is the CERTA Class held by MRCA Member, ED Chase Co., Inc., this past Spring.found at both the MRCA.org and NRCA.netwww.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer 19'