DOL announces career pathways grants.

On February 28, the U.S. Department of Labor released a Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) announcing the availability of $122 million in competitive grants under the Career Pathways Innovation Fund (CPIF), which replaces the Community-Based Job Training Grant program. The department expects to award three-year grants ranging from $1 million to $5 million to local Workforce Investment Boards, community and technical colleges, community college districts, and state community college systems to develop and implement career pathways programs in partnership with employers and other relevant organizations. These grants are distinct from the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grants announced by the department in January. 

The CPIF SGA defines career pathways programs as “clear sequences of coursework and credentials that help individuals of varying skill levels earn credentials valued by employers, enter rewarding careers in in-demand and emerging industries and occupations, and advance to increasingly higher levels of education and employment.” Successful applicants must propose projects that develop and implement career pathways programs for targeted individuals, including (at a minimum):

• Pre-college “bridge” programs that provide low-skilled adults with “on-ramps” (entry points) to postsecondary education and training. These are generally accelerated or contextualized programs that integrate adult basic education (including, as appropriate, English as a Second Language) with occupational skills training and result in credit-bearing certificates and degrees that are valued by employers and can be applied toward additional education or training. Programs should include access to comprehensive academic advising and support services for all participants.
• Postsecondary education for individuals to upgrade their skills and attain industry-recognized credentials that are in-demand in the local labor market. Postsecondary education could include occupational certificate programs offered by community colleges, Registered Apprenticeship programs, associates degree programs, and bachelors degree programs. Programs should include access to comprehensive academic advising and support services for all participants, and should concurrently advance student gains in academic and workplace skills.

Applicants may also develop and implement career pathways programs that support transitions from secondary education to postsecondary education, and programs that facilitate transitions from community colleges to four-year colleges and universities. Projects may only serve individuals who are at least 17 years of age, and who are either unemployed or incumbent workers, though applicants may serve a broad range of workers within those categories, including individuals with barriers to employment and school dropouts.

Projects funded under CPIF grants must be implemented through partnerships that include the public workforce system, community or technical colleges, and public or private employers, and which may include other stakeholders such as community and faith-based organizations, labor organizations, state apprenticeship agencies, industry employer associations, and the broader education and training community (including secondary schools and adult education providers).

At least $65 million of total grant funds will be reserved for projects that focus on the health care sector. The remaining funds will be targeted to projects that increase credential attainment to enable students to compete for employment in high-demand or emerging industries and occupations, including (but not limited to) advanced manufacturing, information technology, law enforcement, wireless and broadband deployment, transportation and warehousing, and biotechnology. Applications must provide evidence that targeted industries will lead to opportunities for participants to obtain good jobs or advance their careers.

Applications for CPIF grants are due by March 31, 2011, with awards expected to be announced by June 30, 2011. The department will post a pre-recorded webinar for interested applicants at www.workforce3one.org by March 4.