Additional Opportunities to Apply for Registered Apprenticeship Funding

Additional Opportunities to Apply for Registered Apprenticeship Funding

DES MOINES – Organizations have until 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22 to submit proposals to Iowa Workforce Development to receive funding to grow Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in Iowa.

Iowa Workforce Development was recently awarded an additional $1 million ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to strengthen and grow Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in Iowa. The grant is focused on expanding opportunities in healthcare, one of the fastest growing and largest employment sectors in the state, as well as increasing the participation of women, youth, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities.

A portion of the funds were awarded in September 2018 and January 2019 to 13 schools and organizations. Iowa Workforce Development is offering another opportunity to submit proposals since funding is still available. This funding is separate from State of Iowa funding for Registered Apprenticeship Programs (15B and 15C).

Organizations may apply for funding in three areas: Quality Pre-Apprenticeship; High School Registered Apprenticeship; and Healthcare Sector Registered Apprenticeship. There are two Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the Healthcare Sector Registered Apprenticeship.

The full RFP and the guidelines for submitting a proposal is available online for the following programs:

Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Programs: Recognized Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Programs may apply for a $10,000 award to focus on career pathways to create or provide on-going support of a Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program. The funds can be used for creation of curriculum, supportive services, participant support costs, outreach, and staff costs for developing and operating the program. Each Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program must have at least one Quality Pre-Apprentice or 10 percent of Quality Pre-Apprentices, whichever amount is greater, hired by a Registered Apprenticeship program by Oct. 31, 2020. Total funding available is $60,000.

High School Registered Apprenticeship Programs: High School Registered Apprenticeship Programs may apply for a $15,000 award. This award may be used to start or to support a current High School Registered Apprenticeship Program. The funds can be used for Related Training Instruction, supportive services and a Registered Apprenticeship coordinator. Total funding available is $105,000.

Healthcare (200/100/50) Registered Apprenticeship Programs: This funding is to be used to grow Registered Apprentices in the healthcare sector. Respondents may apply for a full award of $150,000 to grow at least 200 Registered Apprentices and will receive extra points for submitting a full award. Respondents may apply for a partial award of $75,000 to grow at least 100 Registered Apprentices and will receive extra points for submitting a partial award. Respondents may also apply for a partial award of $37,500 to grow at least 50 Registered Apprentices. The funds can be used for Related Training Instruction, supportive services, stipends to apprentices or sponsors to incentivize retention, a Registered Apprenticeship coordinator and travel. Total funding available is $150,000.

For example, if a proposal is submitted for $150,000 and is awarded, no partial awards will be given. Or if two $75,000 partial awards are selected, no other awards will be selected. In addition, one $75,000 partial award and two $37,500 partial awards could be chosen or four $37,500 partial awards could be selected.

Healthcare (100/50) Registered Apprenticeship Programs: This funding is to be used to grow Registered Apprentices in the healthcare sector. Respondents may apply for a full award of $75,000 to grow at least 100 Registered Apprentices and will receive extra points for submitting a full award. Respondents may also apply for a partial award of $37,500 to grow at least 50 Registered Apprentices. The funds can be used for Related Training Instruction, supportive services, stipends to apprentices or sponsors to incentivize retention, a Registered Apprenticeship coordinator and travel. Total funding available is $75,000.

For example, if a proposal is submitted for $75,000 and is awarded, no partial awards will be given. Or if two $37,500 partial awards are selected, no other awards will be selected.

Registered Apprenticeship Programs help recruit, train a skilled workforce and retain talent. There are currently more than 1,000 apprenticeable occupations in industries that include energy, information technology, healthcare, financial services, transportation, advanced manufacturing, food and beverage preparation, and the building trades. Growing Registered Apprenticeship opportunities is an important strategy to help Iowa reach its Future Ready Iowa goal of having 70 percent of its workforce with education or training beyond high school by 2025.

Iowa employers and job seekers can explore Registered Apprenticeship opportunities at earnandlearniowa.gov. The website helps employers understand how a Registered Apprenticeship Program works, the value it brings to their business, the resources available to help them set up a program and has a form to complete to receive more information.

Job seekers who are interested in exploring Registered Apprenticeship opportunities are encouraged to visit the website and fill out an online form to connect them to a local IowaWORKS Center. In addition, IowaWORKS Center staff can help with resume preparation, cover letter assistance and mock interviews.

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www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov