served more than 60 apprentices (half of whom are women/nonbinary), and disbursed more than $400,000 in funding to deserving applicants as of the time of this writing. One of them is Sylvia Martinez, a


third-period apprentice with Laborers Local 300 in Southern California. “Te childcare stipend has been really helpful; it helps me focus more on the training instead of stressing financially,” Martinez commented. “My daughter says she wants to be just like me when she grows up. I just try to do my best for them.” Lisa Becerra, chief of staff for the


Laborers Training School, said the part- nership they forged with Build California to support their apprentices has been groundbreaking. Beyond offering child- care stipends, the ERiCA grant scope will also include key efforts in recruitment and retention for women and individu- als from historically underrepresented populations, as well as support efforts to foster more inclusive workplace cultures. “In the simplest terms, the ERiCA


grant has been an absolute blessing,” she commented. “It has expanded op- portunities for women in construction by reducing barriers such as childcare costs. It strengthens women’s participa- tion in construction when we can provide supportive services, mentorship, and inclusive workplace practices. Trough


CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026


7


“In the simplest terms, the ERiCA grant has been an absolute blessing. It has expanded opportunities for women in construction by reducing barriers such as childcare costs. It strengthens women’s participation in construction when we can provide supportive services, mentorship, and inclusive workplace practices.”


– Lisa Becerra, Laborers Training School Chief of Staff


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36