July 22 (UPI) -- White House adviser Ivanka Trump visited a Lockheed Martin facility in the Denver area Monday, where she spoke of the defense contractor's apprenticeship program and initiatives to advance interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees, especially among underrepresented groups.
Trump and Lockheed CEO Marilyn Hewson heard from several women who said they have taken advantage of various Lockheed programs. The adviser and president's daughter in-law said she wanted to gather ideas she could take back to Washington.
Trump said the likelihood of a woman who receives a STEM degree staying in that industry after graduation nearly doubles if they receive on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs during school.
"There's an opportunity to retrain or teach a new trade or new skill so they continue to provide for their families in a meaningful way," she said.
Trump was originally going to visit the facility in May, but the trip was postponed. Hewson is part of the Trump administration's American Workforce Policy Advisory Board.
The aerospace industry contributes $3.5 billion to Colorado's economy alone.
"The strength of what's happening in Colorado, the strength of what's happening nationally is enabling those people to have opportunities," Trump added. "Including those who may have been on the sidelines, who have been marginalized, including those who are in the workforce already."
