Cindy Crisanto’s Journey in the Construction Trades
Cindy Crisanto, a single mother of two elementary school-aged boys from Los Angeles, is breaking barriers in the male-dominated world of construction. As an ironworker apprentice at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, she credits the child care subsidy provided by a new state apprenticeship program for allowing her to pursue a career in construction. Crisanto, 36, describes the benefit as “a lifesaver” that has made a huge difference in her life, allowing her to navigate the early work hours at construction sites while taking care of her children.
State Apprenticeship Program and Child Care Support
The apprenticeship program, spearheaded by Gov. Gavin Newsom, aims to enroll half a million Californians in state-supported apprenticeship programs by 2029. The child care subsidy, part of the Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship Grant (ERICA), provides financial support to participants like Crisanto, who receive up to $10,000 annually during their on-the-job apprenticeships. This initiative is designed to diversify the construction trades by encouraging more women, non-binary individuals, and underserved communities to pursue rewarding careers in building and construction.
Impact and Challenges Faced by Women in Construction
The child care grants, coupled with recruitment and training funds, have already started to yield positive results, with a 40% increase in female apprentices at Cerritos College’s ironworkers program. Despite facing doubts and harassment in a male-dominated industry, women like Crisanto find fulfillment and empowerment in their work. Felicia Hall, a workforce development manager for Tradeswomen, emphasizes the importance of child care support in helping women overcome barriers to completing apprenticeship programs.
Personal Stories of Empowerment and Success
Rocio Campos and Dulce Martinez, both immigrants and mothers, have found new career paths in construction through apprenticeship programs and child care support. Campos, an ironwork apprentice, highlights the impact of ERICA funds in enabling her to provide for her family while pursuing a fulfilling career. Martinez, now an instrumentation and controls technician, shares her journey from struggling with low-paying jobs to earning a substantial income in a less physically taxing field.
In conclusion, the state’s investment in apprenticeship programs and child care support is transforming the lives of women in construction, offering them opportunities for economic stability, personal growth, and professional success. As these women continue to break barriers and thrive in traditionally male-dominated industries, their stories serve as inspirations for others facing similar challenges. The future of California’s construction trades is becoming more diverse and inclusive, thanks to initiatives like the Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship Grant.