Monday, December 15, 2014

$100M in grants to transform apprenticeship for the 21st century by expanding training into new high-skilled, high-growth industries



The American Apprenticeship Initiative Grants announced last week build on the momentum of AB 86 Adult Education and other initiatives to increase the emphasis on apprenticeship as a training method that supports employers and leads to student and workforce success. Campuses offering classroom instruction for apprenticeship or other programs related to apprenticeship initiatives should consider joining the Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium (RACC) which eases the way for Journeymen who have already completed an apprenticeship program to re-enter the community college system, earn a certificate or degree, or transfer to a 4 year institution. Becoming a member of the RACC will help you to attract these Journeymen and increase your college’s efficiency to completion rates.

The Doing What Matters Apprenticeship Tool Kit provides support to campuses wishing to create new apprenticeship opportunities or expand existing programs. Technical assistance is also available through the Chancellor’s Office.

The full text of last week's announcement is below. For more information on apprenticeship resources or becoming a member of the RACC, contact John Dunn (jdunn@cccco.edu) at the Chancellor's Office.




Media Contacts:
Jason Kuruvilla, 202-693-6587, kuruvilla.jason@dol.gov
David Roberts, 202-693-5945, roberts.david@dol.gov

U.S. Department of Labor | Dec. 11, 2014
Release Number: 14-2233-NAT

$100M in grants to transform apprenticeship for the 21st century by expanding training into new high-skilled, high-growth industries
Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2015

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that $100 million in grants are available to expand registered apprenticeship programs in high-skilled, high-growth industries like healthcare, biotechnology, information technology and advanced manufacturing. Registered Apprenticeships have long been known as one of the best training models for skilled trades (“earn while you learn”), yet the model remains underutilized in the United States. This unprecedented investment will help to transform apprenticeships for the 21st century and serves as a catalyst to increase the use of apprenticeship to meet employer needs in these sectors.

“An apprenticeship is the ‘other 4-year degree’. It is a tried and true job training strategy that offers a reliable path to the middle class, with no debt,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez who announced the grant opportunity during a visit to the Urban Technology Project’s Information Technology registered apprenticeship program in Philadelphia. “I encourage everyone to apply for this federal grant so that we can significantly scale apprenticeships opportunities for many more Americans in new industries and occupations.”



Approximately 25 grants from $2.5 million to $5 million each will be awarded using funds collected from employers who use H-1B visas to hire foreign workers. Programs funded by this initiative will provide U.S. workers with training to fill jobs that 1) are projected to hire a substantial number of new workers; 2) are being transformed by technology and innovations that require 21st century skills for workers; 3) are new and emerging industries and/or businesses that are projected to grow; or 4) have a significant impact on the economy overall.

Apprenticeship grants will be awarded to public and private partnerships consisting of employers, business associations, joint labor-management organizations, labor organizations, community colleges, local and state governments, and other non-profit organizations. Successful applicants will use the federal funds to develop registered apprenticeship programs that align with other post-secondary education and create career pathways to long-term careers. The grants will also encourage greater access to apprenticeship opportunities for historically underrepresented populations including women, young men and women of color, people with disabilities, and veterans and transitioning service members.

Funding applications must be submitted by April 30, 2015. The Funding Opportunity Announcement, which includes information on eligibility and how to apply, is available at http://www.grants.gov/.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to view additional online resources at http://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship.

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).

Regards,
Van Ton-Quinlivan, Vice Chancellor
Workforce & Economic Development Division
Chancellor’s Office, California Community Colleges
916-327-5492 or vtquinlivan@cccco.edu.

No comments:

Post a Comment