WHEREAS, Bridging Outstanding Opportunities with Tradeswomen Skills (B.O.O.T.S.) is a four-week preapprenticeship program designed by the Council of Carpenters 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