Less Traveled Educator’s Tool Kit to Prepare Students

for Nontraditional Careers

II

Taking the Road

AWARENESS RECRUITMENT

PLACEMENTRETENTION

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Definition of a nontraditional occupation

Overview

Examples of nontraditional occupations for women and men

Why promote nontraditional career options?

Roadblocks males and females may experience

Solutions to overcome roadblocks

Any occupation in which women

or men comprise 25% or

less of its total employment is

considered nontraditional.

Any occupation in which women

or men comprise 25% or

less of its total employment is

considered nontraditional.

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Definition of Nontraditional Occupation?

Occupations or careers may be nontraditional based on a history of gender stereotyping, segregation and discrimination in the workforce. For the purposes of this resource the term “nontraditional” is used to refer to the gender underrepresented in an occupation.

Cluster/Pathway Nontraditional Designations

Internet Resource

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Examples of a Nontraditional Occupation for Women and Men

Nontraditional Occupations for Women

CD-Resource

Nontraditional Occupations for MenCD-Resource

Information on the 16 Career ClustersInternet Resource

43%

In 2007, 43% of female-headed households with children under the age of eighteen lived in poverty compared with 8.5% for children in married-couple families.

In 2007, 43% of female-headed households with children under the age of eighteen lived in poverty compared with 8.5% for children in married-couple families.

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Why Nontraditional?

28.3%

In 2007, the poverty rate for number of female-householder-with-no-husband-present families was 28.3% compared to married-couple families at 4.9% and male-householder with-no-wife-present families at 13.6%.

In 2007, the poverty rate for number of female-householder-with-no-husband-present families was 28.3% compared to married-couple families at 4.9% and male-householder with-no-wife-present families at 13.6%.

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Why Nontraditional?

$33,916

In 2007, Blacks had the lowest median household income of $33,916 which was 62% of the median for non-Hispanic white households.

In 2007, Blacks had the lowest median household income of $33,916 which was 62% of the median for non-Hispanic white households.

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Why Nontraditional?

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007.

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For women, the need for better wages is imperative given the high poverty data regarding women and their families.

Workforce and economic development is critical as the need for workers across the nation exceeds the supply of trained workers available.

For individuals, a nontraditional occupation could be a better career fit when considering job skills, personal interests and lifestyle.

Why Nontraditional?

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Female-to-Male Earnings Ratio and Median Earnings of Full-Time, Year-Round Workers 15 years and Older by Sex: 1960 to 2007

Why Nontraditional?

Source: U. S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1961 to 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplements.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007.

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Per Capita Income Earnings by Race (2007)

Race Median Income

White

White, not Hispanic

Black

Asian

Hispanic (any race)

$52,115

$54,920

$33,916

$66,103

$38,679

Why Nontraditional?

Source: : U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-2007 American Community Survey.

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Median Earnings by DisabilityDisability Median Income

Workers with a disability

Males with a disability

Females with a disability

$17,720

$21,441

$14,495

Why nontraditional?

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Why Nontraditional? Average wages for the top 20 leading

occupations for women and men.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Household Data Annual Averages, Table 39 Median weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex. Available at www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat39.pdf

Women$33,176 Annually

Women$33,176 Annually

Men$41,496 Annually

Men$41,496 Annually

Women’s earnings were 80% of men’sSource: Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau. Available at www.dol.gov/wb/factsheets/Qf-laborforce-07.htm

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Why Nontraditional?Median earnings of

persons aged 16-24, young women earned 92% of what young men earned.

Source: Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau, http://www.dol.gov/wb/factsheets/Qf-laborforce-07.htm

Pay gap is largely a result of women working in traditional jobs which pay less than male dominated jobs.

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Social and economic benefits• Equality of opportunity in education and

employment• Elimination of poverty and reduction of wage gaps• Meeting workforce and employer needs

Employer Benefits• A diverse workforce• Multiple perspectives and problem-solving styles• Increased quality to workplace

Why Promote Nontraditional Career Options?

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Individual Benefits• Individual and skill set fit• Job benefits• Career fulfillment and success

Educator Benefits• A diverse classroom brings new perspectives to class• Improved teaching and learning practices

Why Promote?

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Both males and females can face roadblocks when pursuing a nontraditional career.

Roadblocks hamper success and self-satisfaction.

Students are more likely to complete a program if there are at least 3-5 students of the same gender enrolled in that class.

Roadblocks Males and Females May Experience in Nontraditional Occupations

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Social/cultural• Socialization to traditional gender roles• Lack of support from family, friends, and classmates

or coworkers• Lack of self-confidence• Lack of gender role models

Common Roadblocks for Both Males and Females

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Education and Training• Limited information about

nontraditional options• Gender is usually directed to

traditional classes• Isolation and sexual harassment in

classrooms• Lack of instructor support• Lack of support services such as

transportation to class

Common Roadblocks for Both Males and Females

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Common Roadblocks for Both Males and Females

On the Job• Discrimination in hiring, firing, promotion, layoffs

• Lack of facilities to accommodate gender

• Isolation and sexual harassment in the workplace

• Lack of union support in some trade areas

• Lack of support services such as transportation to class or child care

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Social/cultural• Perception that men aren’t caring• Perception that men who choose a

nontraditional career aren’t masculine

• May be less opportunity for advancement

SalaryMany nontraditional occupations for

men have low salaries.

Other Roadblocks for Males

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Social/culturalMany women have limited experience with tools and

mechanical operations, so they are hesitant to enroll in a course where they feel unprepared or behind their peers.

Other Roadblocks for Females

Education and Training• Lack of prerequisite classes in

math and science• Lack of support services for

child care

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Social/culturalWork to educate and raise awareness as to the benefits of entering a nontraditional career.• Invite, involve, and educate parents.• Conduct elementary and middle school

programs.• Provide role models and mentors.

Solutions to Overcome Roadblocks

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Education and TrainingWork to ensure that all students are able to make a choice of careers based upon their skills and abilities and not their gender.• Provide access to and support for academic proficiency

especially in math and science.• Implement and model gender-fair institutional strategies.• Conduct professional development with teachers at all

levels.

Solutions to Overcome Roadblocks

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Education and Training (cont.)• Review career guidance materials and practices for

gender bias and nontraditional exposure and support.

• Evaluate all school materials for gender bias and positive nontraditional images.

• Conduct pre-technical training programs.• Conduct nontraditional student support groups and

peer counseling.

Solutions to Overcome Roadblocks

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On the jobBe a part of the solution that provides a safe and

harassment free environment for all workers regardless of their gender.• Increase competence in diversity and sexual harassment

prevention.• Provide nontraditional role models, mentors, and job

shadowing.• Provide a continuum of support services.• Invite, involve, and educate business.• Collaborate with community-based organizations.

Solutions to Overcome Roadblocks

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Definition of nontraditional occupation

Examples of NTO for women and men

Any occupation in which women and men comprise 25% or less of its total employment is considered nontraditional.Any occupation in which women and men comprise 25% or less of its total employment is considered nontraditional.

Women and men NTO jobsWomen and men NTO jobs

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Benefits of nontraditional occupations

• Social and economic benefits• Employer benefits• Individual benefits• Educator benefits

• Social and economic benefits• Employer benefits• Individual benefits• Educator benefits

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Roadblocks males and females may experience

Males and females face many of the same roadblocks when pursuing a career in a nontraditional occupation. Types of roadblocks include: •Social/cultural•Education and training•On the job•Salary

Males and females face many of the same roadblocks when pursuing a career in a nontraditional occupation. Types of roadblocks include: •Social/cultural•Education and training•On the job•Salary

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Solutions to overcome roadblocks

• Work to educate and raise awareness about benefits of nontraditional careers.

• Ensure that students make choices based upon their skills and abilities and not gender.

• Provide a safe and harassment free environment for all workers regardless of their gender.

• Work to educate and raise awareness about benefits of nontraditional careers.

• Ensure that students make choices based upon their skills and abilities and not gender.

• Provide a safe and harassment free environment for all workers regardless of their gender.