Registered Apprenticeship for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities Initiative Cooperative Agreement

archived

The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL” or “Department”), Office ofDisability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the DOL’s Employment and TrainingAdministration’s (ETA) Office of Apprenticeship (OA) announce the availability ofapproximately $400,000 to fund cooperative agreements to conduct two pilot projects to develop models to improve systems capacity to provide inclusive Registered Apprenticeship training and pre-apprenticeship training to youth and young adults withdisabilities with a 24-month period of performance, and the possibility of up to 3additional option years of funding at the discretion of the Department depending on theavailability of funds and satisfactory performance. Under this initiative, funding will beawarded through a competitive process to two consortia to research, test, and evaluateinnovative systems models for providing inclusive integrated apprentice training in ahigh-growth industry to youth and young adults with disabilities, including those with themost significant disabilities, between the ages of 16 and 27. To be considered for anaward, consortium applying for the grant must have representation from each of thefollowing four organization types:1. A Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) sponsor in a high-growth industrysector;2. A community-based organization (CBO) with demonstrated experience securingjob training services from established training institutions such as community colleges,and providing placement and support services to apprentices in high-growth industries;3. A public/private non-profit or for-profit organization, which may be faith-based, withdemonstrated experience providing employment and training services and employmentrelated support services to people with disabilities; and4. An educational institution.This solicitation provides background information, describes the application submission requirements, outlines the process that eligible entities must use to apply for funds3covered by this solicitation, and outlines the evaluation criteria used as a basis forselecting the grantees.Application and submission information is explained in detail in Part IV of this SGA.There will be a Prospective Applicant Webinar held for this grant competition. The date and access information for this Prospective Applicant Webinar will be posted on ODEPs Web site at http://www.dol.gov/odep.

High