Nontraditional Employment for Women Awarded A Transformative Grant from BlackRock Future BuildersTM to Expand Skilled Trades Training in New York City
NEW YORK, NY– October 1, 2026 – Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) today announced transformative support through BlackRock Future Builders, a national philanthropic initiative funded by The BlackRock Foundation to train and support 50,000 American workers as they pursue careers in the skilled trades. BlackRock Future Builders is designed to help meet the country’s growing demand for skilled workers while expanding access to careers that can provide pathways to lasting financial security.
The grant will help NEW strengthen its pre-apprenticeship training, job placement and retention support for women in New York City. Over two years, the program aims to enroll 700 participants and place 300 into construction employment or apprenticeships. Funding will deepen post-training placement and retention services and support a new mentorship program drawing on NEW’s network of tradeswomen. These efforts will help meet anticipated demand for construction workers driven by major infrastructure investment while expanding opportunities for women.
“NEW deeply appreciates this transformative support from The BlackRock Foundation and for its vote of confidence in our work and mission. With this support, we will continue to help women reach their full potential through careers in the trades,” said Leah Rambo, President of NEW.
NEW is one of 15 organizations to be selected from more than 1,000 applications for grants nationwide. BlackRock Future Builders partnered with Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit with workforce development expertise, to support the application review process.
“Skilled trades careers create pathways to economic opportunity and financial wellbeing for individuals, families, and ultimately, communities,” said Claire Chamberlain, President of The BlackRock Foundation. “Through BlackRock Future Builders, we're proud to partner with NEW as it expands access to training and helps more people in New York City gain the skills and experience needed to build lasting careers.”
The broader BlackRock Future Builders initiative launched in March 2026 as a $100 million, five-year philanthropic effort funded by The BlackRock Foundation. Through its first national RFP, BlackRock Future Builders has expanded into new communities across the U.S. and is supporting organizations in over a dozen skilled trades.
For additional information on BlackRock Future Builders, please visit: www.blackrock.com/blackrock-future-builders
Image by Greg Morris
