Power in Partnerships: Working with Your Local Department of Labor (DOL) or Workforce Board
Discover the Value of Your Local Workforce Board through collaboration at various levels which is crucial to keeping the nation’s transportation industry and economy moving forward. To identify, train, place, and retain qualified individuals into needed roles, it is essential for State departments of transportation (DOTs) to connect with State and local workforce boards, their respective State departments of labor, and the U.S. Department of Labor.
These partnerships can bring together highway construction, education, and workforce interests to identify needs and resources to fill industry workforce gaps. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps to match employers with the skilled workers they need. Through WIOA, workforce boards align their programs with needs specific to local industries and job seekers. This factsheet explains the program: https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/dc0a626e/files/uploaded/WIOA-Factsheet_dFSVFG0GRea5xToPjtBz.pdf
Register for the 504(e) Webinar on May 24, 2023
Section 504(e) provides the State DOTs with the opportunity to use core highway funds for workforce development, training, and education with 100-percent Federal funding. This webinar will review the new FHWA guidance and provide States an opportunity to ask questions about the application of the 504(e) provision in their States. Presentations by Michigan, Nebraska, and North Carolina representatives about how they use 504(e) core funds for workforce development, training, and education will be featured. Register for this free webinar at: https://usdot.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/
vJIsde6sqzoiHeArKjdLO5MIlSWzuSgqslQ.
View the Newest Video: ConnectU2Jobs Program
This video, new to the SWD Toolkit, highlights the great work that the ConnectU2Jobs program does and features the January 2023 graduating class of the Texas Department of Transportation workforce development program. The SWD Toolkit provides resources and innovative strategies to engage organizations that are looking to identify, train, place, and retain individuals in the workforce to fill construction jobs that support development of the Nation’s highway system. Please take a moment to watch the video to learn about this successful program to help justice involved youth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwAbIn2BBeg.
Source: FHWA
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Grant Opportunities
Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations Grant Program
DOL announced a funding opportunity of $5 million for up to 14 grants to attract and support women in Registered Apprenticeship Programs and industries where they are underrepresented such as construction, manufacturing, and cybersecurity. Administered by the Department’s Employment and Training Administration and Women’s Bureau, the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) grant program supports community-based organizations in their efforts to recruit, train, and retain more women in Registered Apprenticeships and nontraditional occupations.
To learn more, check out: WANTO grant program and 2022 grant recipients and Frequently Asked Questions. Apply for the 2023 WANTO grant at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=347530 by May 29, 2023.
Infrastructure Training Grants (Building Pathways Program)
After the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DOL to expand training opportunities for the infrastructure jobs that are being created. As a product of this partnership, DOL just announced $80 million available for the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant.
States, cities, community-based organizations, workforce boards, community colleges, and labor organizations can apply for funding that supports training in a broad set of occupations supporting infrastructure. This includes professional, scientific, and technical services occupations in construction, including civil engineering technicians, drafting, and construction management. Grants can range from $500,000 to $5,000,000 depending on whether the training program is new or ready to scale.
State and local transportation agencies can apply to support training for their internal workforce and are encouraged to partner with State workforce agencies, workforce development boards, community colleges, or community-based organizations that have experience applying for DOL grants and can help with recruitment and training. You can find the full funding opportunity with directions for how to apply here. Applications are due July 7, 2023.
For all grant opportunities offered by DOL, please visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities.
For More Information on Strategic Workforce Development
To learn how you can identify, train, place, and retain qualified individuals into highway construction jobs, contact Chrisy Currier at Christina.Currier@dot.gov.
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