Department of Labor announced $50.5 million to fund ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grants

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On June 22, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced $50.5 million to fund ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grants. DOL anticipates awarding grants to 33 states from $700,000 to $3.2 million for planning activities over 18 months.

These grants are part of the $90 million Congress appropriated in FY2016 to DOL for the expansion of Apprenticeship and follow the award of $10.4 million in Apprenticeship Accelerator Grants to 51 states and local areas earlier in June.

States are eligible for up to $3.2 million, depending on the current number of apprentices in each state. States with 7,000 or more apprentices are eligible for $1.3-3.2 million, those with 2,500-6,999 apprentices are eligible for $900,000-$2.45 million and those with 2,499 or fewer apprentices are eligible for $700,000-$2.0 million.

The awards are intended to increase apprenticeship opportunities by funding states to develop a Governor-supported expansion strategy, building state capacity to support this strategy and align Registered Apprenticeship with other workforce, education, and economic development strategies in the state, increase intermediary capacity to support employer demand, increase opportunities for underrepresented populations through equity and diversification, promote Registered Apprenticeship state wide, collect data and report on apprenticeship status in states, and plan for the continuation of these activities after the 18-month grant program.

In order to meet these goals, states are able to use funds to

• Support individuals enrolled in Registered Apprenticeship Programs by covering costs and providing supportive services, provide classroom training, develop apprenticeship curricula and standards;
• Support the development of career pathways models through pre-apprenticeship;
• Develop incentives or tax credits for employers, intermediaries and industry organizations;
• Convene stakeholders for information exchanges, institutes and training; and
• Modernize data collection and IT systems.                                                                     

The Senate’s Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Services (Labor-HHS) bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 includes $100 million in funding for Apprenticeship, $10 million over funding provided for FY2016. If Congress funds this line item for FY2017, DOL anticipates awarding a second and third round of ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grants in order to fund additional planning and additional states.

Applications are due by 4:00 pm EST on September 7, 2016. 

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