Equality of Opportunity in Education and Training - Research and Technology Programmes - The United States

Technology Administration

The Department of Commerce's Technology Administration led special focus roundtables at Women in Technology International Conferences held in Austin, TX (March 1998) and in Boston, MA (October 1998) to begin a national dialogue among women in information technology. A need to raise awareness of opportunities in the information technology work force was recognised. The technology workforce programs identified by the Technology Administration include a focus specifically on girls and women.

Technical Opportunities Program/ Chicago Women in Trades

The Argonne National Laboratory of the Department of Energy, working with "Chicago Women in Trades", are actively involved in the program at Joliet Junior College in Chicago. The program aims to increase the number of women employed in traditionally male occupations.

Young Women in Research Program

The Research Program began in 1998 as part of the Student Research Apprenticeship Program at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory of the Department of Energy. It is a partnership with the Washington State Migrant Council. The program offers economically disadvantaged young women the opportunity to participate in research at the Laboratory for an eight-week research apprenticeship.

Women in Science and Technology Initiative

As part of the Women in Science and Technology Initiative, the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory held a Technical Women’s Symposium in 1994 and 1996. The Program aims to highlight scientific and engineering women’s achievements, as well as to provide an opportunity for women to interact with other researchers.

Research

In 1992 the Veteran’s Employment and training Service began to identify and expand employment opportunities for women veterans. As part of this campaign, it began to provide grants to the Women’s Research and Education Institute. In February 1999, the Institute used the grant to increase the number of women veterans participating in the careers as network installers, technicians, and customer relations personnel.