Technical Assistance
WINTER provides technical assistance to large industries, businesses, labor unions and apprenticeship programs on women's recruitment and retention issues in the western U.S.
By providing this service we are changing the institutional fabric and policies addressing women labor issues, community organizing, and the economics of human capital and development.
The outcome of our technical assistance work, permit us to place women in high-wage, high-skill employment thus advancing and supporting women and families economic self-sufficiency. We specialize in Industry Specific Mentor Programs Training - for Non-profit Agencies, Employers and Apprenticeship Programs and unions that desire to establish mentor programs on-site to support youth or women in non-traditional careers.
WINTER offers intensive 1 to 12-week training sessions to develop workplace compentecy skills, life skills, personal assessment, job retention skills, preparation training for career entry into non-traditional employment, safety instruction, financial literacy, credit counseling, and hands-on training on construction trades and environmental remediation. Case management services are extended to participants to strengthen employment opportunities. Individualized career plans outlining employment and education objectives to help women achieve maximum long term economic stability, are provided, including; workshops on career planning, on-site job readiness and job searches; and formal linkages with a wide array of union apprenticeship programs and employers.
Young women and at-risk teens who seek us out for education and job training are often dealing with challenges and personal issues that can prevent them from completing WINTER programs, some suffer from drug addictions, anger issues or a paralyzing lack of self-esteem and professionalism. We offer a broad continuum of support services to help at-risk youth, young women, and women break down the barriers impeding their ability to accomplish their goals. We operate support groups that provide the opportunity to process their experiences on job or training settings in a safe and non-judgmental setting. Specific supportive services include:
• Case management and linkages to social services providers
• Assistance with work attire and tools
• Assistance with transportation and emergencies
• Training stipends
• Tuition assistance for non-traditional classes and ESL
• Employment referrals and placement
• Monthly face-to-face support group with women mentors
WINTER recognized the lack of gender-specific programs for teens, young adults and women interested in technology, math, science and non-traditional careers. These programs support the personal and leadership development of over 100 girls and women from the greater Southern California communities. Teens and women, ages 13 to 40+, take steps toward success by participating in WINTER mentoring activities including: leadership training, prevention programs, career and technical education, college visits, team-building and community service projects. Our mentors are trained experienced tradeswomen and women in non-traditional careers, (carpenters, electricians, engineers, architects, law enforcement officers, firefighters, etc.) that are committed to seeing girls and women succeed in non-traditional occupations.
The goals of the Community Education and Outreach Program are to empower community members with accurate information on opportunities available to young women in high-wage, high-skill employment and education.
In Schools
WINTER works with eleven school districts to provide workshops and presentations on non-traditional employment opportunities. Programs for teens are designed to encourage dialogue and critical thinking among students. Through discussion and small group exercises, we encourage students to examine their own beliefs and attitudes about gender roles, power and discrimination. We also provide students with practical hands-on workshops on tool recognition and safety. In addition we offer information about their employment rights, an apprenticeship guide and resources for further help. WINTER alos collaboarates closely with community colleges, universities and other institutions of higher education.
In Community
WINTER works with local agencies to provide information sessions and workshops for various community groups such as domestic violence and homeless shelters, church groups, and other community based organizations. WINTER targets outreach to where women are, so we also canvas laundromats, childcare centers, and beauty shops.
All WINTER trainees and students participate in leadership development activities by planning and implementing community service learning projects, beautification projects, and construction projects that benefit women’s shelters, non-profit community service organizations and the community at large, such as construction of wheelchair ramps, tree plantings, beautification projects, clean-ups, construction of playgrounds, alley conversions. Under the leadership of journeylevel tradeswomen, young women are mentored and trained through these community service learning projects.
Young Women Conferences
We bring together some of the most dynamic speakers from different professional non-traditional careers to address women’s education and career issues that focus on opportunities, support and success. Conferences have include; “Girls Today, Engineers Tomorrow”, “Women’s Work - Math, Science, Trades & Technology”, “Women In Non-Traditional Careers” and “Picture Yourself in a Non-traditional Career”. This program targets middle and high school students.
Girls Today, Engineers Tomorrow – is a leadership and e-mentoring program that supports and encourages young women to enroll in higher education and into the fields of engineering, technology, math and science careers.
