AR17 - Relative to women in carpentry.

Amended IN Assembly March 03, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION House Resolution No. 17 Introduced by Assembly Member Dixon February 21, 2025 Relative to women in carpentry. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST HR 17, as amended, Dixon. Digest Key Bill Text WHEREAS, Bridging Outstanding Opportunities with Tradeswomen Skills (B.O.O.T.S.) is a four-week preapprenticeship program designed by the Council of Carpenters the Southwest Mountain States Carpenters Training Fund to empower and assist women who are interested in becoming a union carpenter; and WHEREAS, The B.O.O.T.S. program assists women in obtaining meaningful training opportunities, and serves as an introduction to carpentry, workplace safety, math, framing, concrete form building, and more; and WHEREAS, The B.O.O.T.S. program identifies, recruits, and prepares women to be successful on the job. B.O.O.T.S. helps lay the groundwork for the cultural changes needed at construction sites by working with established community-based organizations that primarily assist women in the trades; and WHEREAS, The percentage of women in apprenticeships across all programs in California is 2.6 percent, and there are 376 women enrolled in B.O.O.T.S. in California, where 74 percent graduate and are hired by signatory contractors; and WHEREAS, Women bring valuable skills and expertise to the workforce and play a crucial role in supporting the economy through their contributions to the trades, and their involvement in construction projects drives economic growth and supports community development; and WHEREAS, As more women enter the trades, they assist in filling critical skill gaps, which ensures a steady supply of trained professionals; and WHEREAS, Participation by women in the trades drives industry growth by enabling teams to effectively handle larger and more complex projects; and WHEREAS, Programs like B.O.O.T.S. empower women to succeed in the industry, which facilitates generationally transformative change within their families and communities; and WHEREAS, The inclusion of women in the trades promotes diversity, which is essential for innovation and creativity. A diverse workforce brings fresh perspectives and ideas, which enhances problem-solving capabilities and addresses challenges within the industry; and WHEREAS, Women in the trades serve as role models and mentors, inspiring future generations and fostering a more inclusive workforce; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly hereby recognizes the importance of women in carpentry, specifically the success of the Council of Carpenters’ the Southwest Mountain States Carpenters Training Fund’s B.O.O.T.S. program; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.