While visiting Atlanta-based Spelman College on Monday, U.S. Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood announced the Pilot Entrepreneurial Training and Technical Assistance Women and Girls Program, created to encourage girls to pursue careers in science, engineering, and technology and help women in the field to achieve their goals.

The new program, managed by a partnership between the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and Spelman College, is part of a broader effort, led by the White House, to ensure that federal programs and policies take into account the distinct needs and concerns of women and girls.

"Transportation is one of the most challenging and exciting industries in the country right now," Secretary LaHood said. "We'd love to see the women at Spelman and students at high schools, colleges and universities around the country become our transportation leaders for the 21st century and come work at the U.S. Department of Transportation."

The partnership will create an internship and mentoring program to bring more female students into transportation-related careers and help them gain hands-on experience. It will also help small women-owned transportation companies to complete for U.S. DOT contracts, and make sure they get the technical and finance assistance they need to succeed.

The partnership supports President Obama's the mission and work of White House Council on Women and Girls.