Skills training is at the heart of apprenticeship programs. Because co-workers may doubt a woman's abilities to work in a nontraditional job and the work situation can be dangerous, women need to be able to demonstrate their skills.
Insufficient training leaves many women unprepared to keep pace.
Problems may be greater for women of color. In general, women have had less exposure to nontraditional occupations and may have had less preparation to ensure their success on the job. All these elements can be learned, however, and proper training can help ensure their success in their chosen field. Review current materials to eliminate gender and race-biased assumptions. Consider establishing additional training programs to assist women in areas such as physical conditioning or tool identification.