Washington, Sep 22, 2000 - U.S. Representative Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Cleveland) today announced that Hard Hatted Women, the Cleveland-based job training program, has been awarded a competitive grant of $77,727 by the federal Department of Labor to "create a working union/employer group that will then assist in identifying 10 unions and 10 employers to receive technical assistance in recruiting, training, and retaining women in apprenticeships and nontraditional careers."

According to a fact sheet provided by the federal Department of Labor, Hard Hatted Women will receive $77,727 to implement program under the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations Act of 1992. Hard Hatted Women has provided over 20 years of community service to workers in northeast Ohio and trains approximately 80 women in nontraditional occupations per year enabling them to access apprenticeship and high-wage nontraditional jobs. The group is the only non-profit community-based organization that prepares women for such workforce development and opportunities. Rep. Kucinich had written a letter in strong support of the application by Hard Hatted Women.

"The staff of Hard Hatted Women, especially its executive director Kathy Augustine, deserve the full credit for this award," said Rep. Kucinich. "These funds will go a long way to starting women in high-wage, high-skilled opportunities. I congratulate them on this achievement."

For more information please contact Kathy Augustine of Hard Hatted Women at 216/961-4449, extension 203.