Community Based Job Training Grants (17.269)
Program
17.269 Community Based Job Training Grants
Federal Agency
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Authorization
Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Title I, Subtitle D, Section 171 (d), Public Law 105-220.
Program Number
17.269
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
Technology and innovation, globalization, and the aging of America's workforce are continuously changing the nature of work and, indeed, the workplace. Businesses in high-growth, high-demand industries face increasing difficulties in finding workers with the right skills. As a result, community colleges are important training providers for workers needing to develop, retool, refine, and broaden their skills in high-growth, high-demand occupations because of their close connection to local labor markets. Community Based Job Training Grants strengthen the role of community colleges in promoting the U.S. Workforce's full potential. Community Based Job Training Grants are awarded through a competitive process to support workforce training for high-growth industries through the national system of community and technical colleges. The primary purpose of these grants is to build the capacity of community colleges to train workers to develop the skills required to succeed in: (i) local industries and occupations that are expected to experience high growth; and (ii) industries where demand for qualified workers is outstripping the supply. These competitive grants build on the High Growth Job Training Initiative, a national model for demand-driven workforce development implemented by strategic partnerships among the workforce investment system, employers, and community colleges. All grantees engage in a combination of capacity-building and training activities.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The funds must be used for both of the following activities: 1) Increasing the capacity of community colleges to provide training in a local high growth, high demand industry through activities such as the development of training curricula with local industry, hiring qualified faculty, arranging on-the-job experiences with industry, and using up-to-date equipment; and 2) Training new and experienced workers in identified high growth, high demand industries, with the aim of employing and/or increasing the retention and earnings of trained workers, while meeting the skill needs of businesses within targeted industries.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Under the first Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA), only community colleges, as defined by 20 USC 2371 were eligible to apply. 20 USC 2371 states: The term community college (A) means an institution of higher education as defined in 20 USC 1001 that provides not less than a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit towards a bachelor's degree; and (B) includes tribally-controlled colleges and universities. In any subsequent SGAs, eligible entities will include: community colleges meeting the above definition, as well as community college districts, state community college systems, and One-Stop Career Centers who meet specific criteria.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Generally, the scope of potential trainees under Community-Based Job Training Grants is very broad. WIA Section 171(d) authorizes demonstration programs to serve dislocated workers, incumbent workers, and new entrants to the workforce. This authorization supports a broad range of training for a variety of populations, including: incumbent workers who need new skills for jobs in demand up the career ladder or because the skill needs for their current job have changed; untapped labor pools such as immigrant workers, individuals with disabilities, veterans, older workers, youth, etc; or entry level workers who need basic skills and/or specific occupational skill training. The identification of targeted and qualified trainees should be part of the larger project planning process undertaken by the required partnership and should relate to the workforce issue that is being addressed by the training.
Credentials/Documentation
Grantees must demonstrate an adequate organization capacity, including a project management structure. Additionally, grantees must provide evidence of the use of data systems to track outcomes in a timely and accurate manner.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None except as specified in solicitations. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Grants for projects are awarded on a competitive basis, announced in Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGAs) in the Federal Register and also on ETA's Internet website at http://www.doleta.gov. To compete for a grant, organizations develop a proposal and budget that demonstrate how the organization will provide services to a targeted population. The SGA provides all of the necessary information for applying for federal assistance.
Award Procedure
Procedures for each project are specified in the applicable request for proposals. Generally, the procedure is as follows: A technical review panel composed of staff from ETA program offices as well as peer reviewers evaluates eligible submitted applications. The panel prepares a report for the ETA Grant Officer identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the application and the cumulative rating. Once selections are made by the Grant Officer, an Award Notification is sent through the appropriate congressional channels for notification. After awardees are notified, the list of awardees is posted on the ETA website at www.doleta.gov. If an application is rejected, a letter is sent to the applicant as notification that they were not selected as a recipient of the grant.
Deadlines
Specified in the applicable request for proposals, but generally 45 to 60 days from announcement.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Procedures for each project are specified in the applicable Solicitation for Grant Applications.
Renewals
Renewals with funds are not available. However, with significant justification ETA may elect to exercise its option to award no-cost extensions to these grants for an additional period at its own discretion, based on the success of the program and other relevant factors.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
In the first two solicitations, there was not a match requirement. Information about match requirements for future competitions will be specified in the applicable Solicitation for Grant Applications.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Most projects last two to three years. Payments to grantees are usually made by Letter of Credit draw-down procedures.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
At a minimum, quarterly progress and financial reports and final reports are required. Additional requirements are included in the solicitation.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised June 27, 2003) Audits of states, local governments, and non-profit organizations, non-federal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in federal awards are exempt from federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Recipients are required to maintain books, records, documents, and other evidence of accounting procedures and practices sufficient to reflect properly all direct and indirect costs of whatever nature claimed to have been incurred for the performance of the grant. Records are to be retained for three years from the date of final payment unless the grant officer authorizes earlier disposal.
Program Accomplishments
In October 2005, DOL awarded $125 million in Community-Based Job Training Grants to 70 community colleges in 40 states. The Department of Labor will conduct a second competition for Community-Based Job Training Grants in late spring 2006. For more information on these grants, please visit the Department of Labor's Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/business/Community- BasedJobTrainingGrants.cfm.
Financial Information
Account Identification
16-0174-0-1-504.
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 05 $0; FY 06 est $125,000,000; and FY 07 est $133,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$500,000 to $2 Million.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Provided in the applicable Solicitation for Grant Applications.
Related Programs
17.268, H-1B High Growth Job Training Grants.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact the nearest Employment and Training Administration regional office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Business Relations Group, Office of Workforce Investment, Employment and Training Administration, U. S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room N-4643, Washington, DC 20210. Contact: Mindy Feldbaum. Telephone: (202) 693-3949, e-mail businessrelations@dol.gov.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
(1) A $2,465,656 grant to a community college to offer students training for new healthcare career opportunities in nursing, surgical technology, radiography, and clinical laboratory technology; (2) a $1,271,550 grant to a community college to expand entry-level and advanced certified training and procure new equipment and technology to train workers for automotive, diesel, collision repair, and truck driving occupations; (3) a $1,600,606 grant to a community college to expand the college's capacity to provide effective training in advanced manufacturing through the creation of multiple pathways to employment; and 4) a $3,018,928 grant to a community college to design and implement a two-year curriculum to prepare out-of-school youth, Job Corps students, community college students, and incumbent workers as automotive manufacturing technicians.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria for each proposal are specified in the applicable Solicitation for Grant Applications.
