Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, Chapter 11 in Los Angeles, CA (EWMC LA), is an affinity group comprised of more than 40 active IBEW members with a commitment to recruiting and mentoring community members who express interest in joining the electrical trade. Grant funding will be used to provide the following items to outstanding recruits who successfully complete the application and boot camp process within Local 11: tools, field work clothes (part of the PPE requirement) and laptops to complete required online coursework — all to support apprenticeship retention of black women.

Mid-year Update: They are currently working with business vendors to secure favorable pricing for tools, laptops, and possibly work clothing to be provided to outstanding recruits within Local 11 who successfully complete boot camp and qualify as part of the application process. The Request for Support Application has been through internal review and is now complete; two women have already applied to receive the items.

Kora Collective is a mental-health-focused nonprofit based in Seattle, WA. Their work focuses on culturally responsive, trauma-informed socioemotional learning curriculum intentionally developed by and for people with lived experience in the trades and in marginalized communities. The organization works closely with its local Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) chapter and other community partners to deliver a socioemotional learning model for high-school aged youth interested in the trades. Funding will support capacity building and pilot programming of curriculum to ensure content remains relevant, impactful, and scalable.

Mid-year Update: In addition to curriculum development, the grant is supporting capacity building to secure 501(c)(3) status. Curriculum work on eight modules has been finalized; teaching and marketing tools are in development. They are also in early-stage discussions with two educational institutions for pilot implementation later this year.

NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center (NIETC) in Columbia, OR uses targeted recruitment, foundational training, and sustained support to remove barriers and create meaningful opportunities—especially for black women and others historically excluded from electrical trades. Funding will be used to expand partnerships with community-based organizations to help reach individuals in their own neighborhoods and networks. It will also provide in-house supportive services for black women, such as assistance with transportation, tools, and childcare to reduce barriers and improve retention for those who might otherwise need to leave the apprenticeship program due to logistical or economic challenges.

Mid-year Update: Their region continues to face a marked slowdown in construction and electrical work. This downturn has led to a large number of unemployed apprentices, with many out of work for a significant duration. Supportive Services funds from the CBF grant enabled NIETC to provide critical financial stability for three apprentices. All individuals received targeted rent assistance, directly addressing immediate housing insecurity. By removing this significant barrier, these apprentices were able to maintain focus on their training, illustrating the vital impact of these funds on program retention and apprentice well-being. A testimonial from an apprentice is included here on our CBF website.