Upcoming NGA Events: (Please note that further details and information about other events can be found on the COP calendar)
- Webinar on Grant Closeout: Tuesday, June 30 from 3-4pm
- This Closeout presentation will review the reason and framework under which the closeout process has been established. It will identify the different elements of a closeout package and the closeout process timeline for submission. Lastly, we will highlight several areas that may impact an organization’s ability to successfully navigate the closeout process.
- Log in here; Meeting ID: 161 413 8082; Meeting Password: MvBtTVM*339
Apprenticeship Resources:
- U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Funding Opportunities:
- Out-of-School Time Career Pathway Program: DOE issued a notice inviting applications from State Educational Agencies (SEAs) to provide students expanded options to participate in career pathways program, outside of regular school hours or as part of an expanded learning program, that lead to a recognized postsecondary credential such as a certification of completion of an apprenticeship in an in-demand industry sector or occupation. These discretionary grants are estimated to award between $375,000-$625,000 per year for five years for a project period of up to 60 months.
- Education Stabilization Fund-Reimagine Workforce Preparation Grants Program: DOE announced a new student-centered grant competition to spur short-term education opportunities, entrepreneurship and economic growth as America begins to recover from COVID-19-related disruptions to education and our economy. $127.5 million from the CARES act has been allocated to this grant. Applications are due no later than Aug. 24, 2020, and DOE intends to make awards no later than Oct. 2020. Additional information on the grant opportunity can be found here.
- U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Comment Request: DOL is soliciting comments concerning a proposed authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, ‘‘IRAP Program and Performance Reports for Standards Recognition Entities.” Comments are invited by July 27, 2020, and must be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov by selecting Docket ID ETA-2020-0003. As a reminder, AAI grantees cannot use AAI grant funds towards IRAPS or IRAP development.
- Implementing Grants in Times of Virtual Learning and Workspaces (S. Department of Labor): This webinar held on June 8 highlighted discussed how Scaling Apprenticeship grantees are implementing grants while maintaining social distancing and stay-at-home measures. You can find a recording of the webinar, an executive summary, and transcript here.
Apprenticeship in the News:
- University of North Florida Launches EHR Apprenticeship for Graduates (Becker’s Hospital Review): Jacksonville-based University of North Florida has partnered with Optimum Healthcare IT to establish an electronic health records apprenticeship program offering training to give hospital and health systems EHR support.
- New Billings Nurse Apprenticeship Program Aims to Educate Students, Debt Free (KTVQ): Billings nursing students will receive seven apprenticeships at St. Johns United nursing home, working to further their education with the goal to finish with no student loan debt and the program will be open to more students.
- Rebuilding Our Economy with Higher Education, Apprenticeships (Bucks County Courier Times): For 113 months, the US economy saw an increase in the number of jobs; then the coronavirus hit, leaving at least 30 million Americans unemployed and eliminating the past decade’s employment growth. Pairing higher education with apprenticeships will help get hardworking people back on their feet while equipping them with new skills fit for the 21st-century economy.
- Apprenticeships can also Work in White-Collar Professions: Provide Path to Address Racism and Pandemic Challenges (Commonwealth Magazine): As we cope with the impact of two interwoven crises – the COVID-19 pandemic and the explosion of anger over racism in America – and grapple with a response, let’s use the apprenticeship model to create opportunities for young black and brown people in a host of white-collar businesses.
- Why Apprenticeships Are the Best Way to Learn Data Skills (Forbes): Apprenticeship programs can serve as a more effective link between job seekers and employers hiring data science talent, creating a fast track to jobs for emerging talent who might otherwise have flown under the radar of employers.
- National Black Contractors Association Signs Historic Agreement with AGC (SD Voice): The signing of an agreement between the National Black Contractor’s Association and the Association of General Contractors acknowledges that they both are heavily invested in workforce development in the San Diego community through state and federally approved apprenticeship programs.
- Tech, Stability may Move Gen Z through the Trades Pipeline (Construction Dive): To young digital natives, the construction industry appears to be stuck in the last century, remarkably slow to adapt to – let alone get creative with – new technologies. But the pandemic has forced construction companies to “take a step back and go virtual” with their training programs.
- Balderson Submits Amendments (Ripon Advance): U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) recently proposed four amendments to provide Republican solutions and reforms to a proposed national surface transportation bill. One amendment includes establishing an apprenticeship program to train qualified 18- to 20-year-old commercial driver’s license holders to safely operate in interstate trucking commerce.
- Insurers Can Lead on Addressing Social Inequality Risks (Business Insurance): For insurance executives taking these issues seriously, there is a such a new way – it’s called apprenticeships. Simply put, apprenticeships are ways to allow new employees to earn while they learn, drawing a full-time salary while they advance their education and work.
