Polis and DeLauro Introduce Legislation to Expand Women’s Access to High-Paying Jobs

WASHINGTON—As the Congress works to pass wide-ranging job creation legislation to combat the effects of the ongoing recession, Congressman Jared Polis (CO-2) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) along with 40 of their colleagues, introduced H.R. 4830, the Women and Workforce Investment for Nontraditional Jobs (Women WIN Jobs) Act—to fight gender inequity in the workplace and give low-income women a pathway out of poverty.

"For far too long, women have been under-represented in higher-paying jobs as a result of inadequate training, stereotypes, and lack of information" said Congressman Polis. "As our nation works to rebuild the economy, it is essential that we take action today against gender inequity in the workforce and promote diversity and equal opportunity. This legislation will help women, especially low-income women, gain the same access to high-quality, high-paying jobs that men have had historically, so they can support their families and play an even greater role in strengthening America's economy in the future."

"This is the kind of legislation we need more of in this country: enabling those who have been unable to reach their highest potential and assisting in our economic recovery. It is a shame that so many talented women have been confined to low-paying and dead-end jobs, and this bill will change that. Through federal and private assistance, we will give women the tools they need to do their best," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "Our efforts will open doors, enabling our nation's women to better their lives, their families, and ultimately, our workforce as a whole."

Today women represent half of our nation's workforce, but two-thirds of working women are concentrated in only 5% of occupational categories, most of which are among the lowest paid occupations, except for teaching and nursing. Nontraditional jobs—those in which women comprise 25% or less of employees—pay 20-30% more than traditionally female jobs, but only 6.2% of women are employed in these occupations.

To address this gender inequity, the Women WIN Jobs Act will help recruit, prepare, place and retain women in high-demand, high-wage nontraditional jobs. Through a new federal grant program that will support innovative partnerships in each and every state, this bill will enable women to become self-sufficient and earn more while simultaneously boosting our nation's economy. Despite the recession, employers in several industries are facing severe shortages of skilled workers to fill the fastest-growing and highest-paying jobs of the future – from information technology and the building trades, to renewable energy and energy efficiency.