The primary objective of the On-the-Job Supportive Services (OJTSS) is to increase the overall effectiveness of the State highway agencies' approved training programs by encouraging completion of training programs and seeking other ways to increase the training opportunities for minorities and women.

State Transportation Agencies are responsible for establishing procedures, subject to the availability of Surface Transportation and Bridge Funds under 23 U.S.C. 140(b) (Nondiscrimination), for the provision of supportive services in support of training programs approved under 23 CFR 230A (Equal Employment Opportunity on Federal and Federal-Aid Construction Contracts (Including Supportive Services)).

The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) policy is to require full utilization of all available training and skill improvement opportunities to assure that increased participation of minority groups and disadvantaged persons and women in all phases of the highway construction industry. The FHWA also encourages State Departments of Transportation to utilize OJT supportive services funds to increase the effectiveness of approved on-the-job training programs conducted in connection with Federal-aid highway construction projects. This training is used to increase the participation of women and minorities in skilled and semi-skilled crafts.

• Native American Highway Construction Outreach Program -Implementation Plan Handbook
• ISTEA Two: Action Planning Institutes: Partnering for Women's Employment
• The Women's Transportation Pipeline Project
• Arizona Department of Transportation's Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program
• National Ironworkers Training Program for American Indians
• Georgia's Pre-Apprenticeship Training for Women in Highway Construction
• North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) On-The-Job Training Program
• Maryland Highway Construction Apprenticeship Training Pilot Project

NATIVE AMERICAN HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION OUTREACH PROGRAM -IMPLEMENTATION PLAN HANDBOOK

Geographical Area: Southwest

Synopsis of Planned Accomplishments:

• Conduct an evaluation of construction and administrative supportive services providers.

• Development of a handbook for the establishment and implementation of an outreach program designed to increase the employment of Native Americans in the Federal-aid Highway Construction industry.

Service Provider: Red Hawk Laboratory, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia 22314

FHWA Contact: Hattie H. Brown, HCR-10, (202) 366-1591

Projected completion Date: March 1997

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ISTEA TWO: ACTION PLANNING INSTITUTES: PARTNERING FOR WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT

Geographical Areas: Southeast, West, and Midwest

Synopsis of Planned Accomplishments:

• Convene three Regional Institutes to:

  • Share the successful concept of partnering for Women in Highway Construction.

  • Establish the framework for the development of partnerships with stakeholders in the highway construction industry.

  • Promote the utilization of the one-half of 1 percent of ISTEA OJTSS funds for increased employment of women and minorities in skilled and semiskilled crafts.

• Publish a report outlining program alternatives, policy recommendations, and model partnering concepts.

Service Provider: Northeast Women in Transportation (NEWIT), Portland, Maine

FHWA Contact: Hattie H. Brown, HCR-10, (202) 366-1591

Projected Completion Date: October 1997

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THE WOMEN'S TRANSPORTATION PIPELINE PROJECT

Geographical Areas: California (West); District of Columbia and Louisiana (Atlantic/Eastern and Southern); Illinois and Iowa (Mountain and Midwest)

Synopsis of Planned Accomplishments:

• Develop pilot program linking women and minorities with training and access to transportation careers.

• Develop a video and video guide to be used as a career awareness tool.

• Provide on-site technical assistance to State leadership teams to recruit, train, and employ women in the highway construction industry.

• Develop a How-to-Manual to chronicle the results of efforts to recruit and retain women and minorities in highway and bridge construction careers.

Service Provider: Wider Opportunities for Women, Washington, D. C.

FHWA Contact: Hattie H. Brown, HCR-10, (202) 366-1591

Projected Completion Date: February 1998

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ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S PRE-APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM

Geographical Areas: Southwest

Synopsis of Planned Accomplishments:

• Provide training in highway construction crafts to 40 economically disadvantaged persons, with focus on minorities and women.

Service Provider: Governor's Commission on Nontraditional Employment for Women and the Maricopa Skill Center, Phoenix, Arizona

State Contact: Paula J. Cleveland, Project Supervisor, (602) 542-3461

FHWA Contact: Hattie H. Brown, HCR-10, (202) 366-1591

Completed: December 1996

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NATIONAL IRONWORKERS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR AMERICAN INDIANS

Geographical Areas: Chicago, Illinois

Synopsis of Planned Accomplishments:

• Provide highly specialized training in iron working skills, shop classes, hands on and on-the-job training to Native Americans.

• Provide trainees with stipends, transportation, housing and job placement services.

Service Provider: International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers, Washington, D. C.

FHWA Contact: Hattie H. Brown, HCR-10, (202) 366-1591

Projected Completion Date: September 1997

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GEORGIA'S PRE-APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING FOR WOMEN IN HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

Geographical Areas: Atlanta, Georgia

Synopsis of Planned Accomplishments:

• Recruit and train women for a 12-week pre-apprenticeship training program.

• Training will focus on physical conditioning, human resources, math for trades and specific skills training in carpentry, equipment operation, and cement finishing, etc.

• From aptitude skills place trainee with contractor.

• After placement, monitor progress of trainee.

• continue monitoring trainees to determine rate of retainment and job satisfaction.

Service Provider: Partnerships with: FHWA Georgia Division; Georgia Department of Transportation; Albany State College; Goodwill Industries; and Georgia Highway Contractors Association

FHWA Contact: Charles Stinson, Region 4 Office, (404) 562-3590

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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM

Geographical Areas: Statewide ( North Carolina)

Synopsis of Planned Accomplishments:

• The goal of the program is to bring 180 to 200 currently unemployed or underemployed persons into a productive highway construction career.

• The North Carolina (NC) DOT will take the lead role in designing both a preemployment training program and in designing an instrument for candidate selection based upon highway construction industry job factors.

• The Division of Social Services of the North Carolina Department of Human Resources will provide candidates for the pre-employment training and promote this program through their joblistings.

• Four North Carolina HBCUs will perform the assessment of candidates selected and be responsible for delivering the pre-employment curriculum.

Service Provider: Partnerships with: FHWA North Carolina Division; North Carolina Department of Transportation; North Carolina Department of Labor; North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Division of Social Services; and four North Carolina HBCUs.

FHWA Contact: Charles Stinson, Region 4 Office, (404) 562-3590

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MARYLAND HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PILOT PROJECT

Geographical Area: Maryland Route 450 and other locations in Prince Georges County

Synopsis of Planned Accomplishments:

• To attract 30 youth, minorities, and women to an apprenticeship career.

• Provide a three week pre-apprenticeship workshop that will focus on motivational techniques, work ethics, employability skills development, introduction to apprenticeship training, remedial math and English, and health and safety information.

• Offer entry into a structured 3-4 year apprenticeship program.

Service Providers: Maryland State Highway Administration; Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

FHWA Contract: Jo Blackstone, Region 3 Office, (410) 962-0093

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