ABA_FOA-ETA-22-06 ggov.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR: Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant Program

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-ETA-22-06

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 17.285

KEY DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is 04/25/2022. We must receive applications no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

Submit all applications in response to this solicitation through https://www.grants.gov. For complete application and submission information, including online application instructions, please refer to Section IV.

On approximately March 15, 2022 a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page about the Apprenticeship Building America Grants FOA will be available at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities. Please check this link frequently for future updates, as additional FAQs may be added. A pre-recorded Prospective Applicant Webinar will also be available at the same link and available for viewing any time after that date. While a review of this Webinar is strongly encouraged to support successful grant applications, it is not mandatory.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/apply/find-opportunities

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

B. PROGRAM AUTHORITY

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AWARD TYPE AND AMOUNT

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

C. OTHER INFORMATION

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION PACKAGE

B. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

C. SUBMISSION DATE, TIME, PROCESS AND ADDRESS

D. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

E. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

F. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. CRITERIA

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

C. REPORTING

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. WEB-BASED RESOURCES

B. INDUSTRY COMPETENCY MODELS AND CAREER CLUSTERS

C. WORKFORCEGPS RESOURCES

D. SKILLSCOMMONS RESOURCES

IX. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

ENDNOTES

APPENDIX A Key Definitions

APPENDIX B Resources To Help Employers with Workplace Inclusion

APPENDIX C Suggested Logic Model Template

APPENDIX D Suggested Abstract Template

APPENDIX E Suggested Chart of Past Performance Template With Examples

APPENDIX F Suggested Project Work Plan Template

APPENDIX G Suggested Apprenticeship Building America Performance Outcomes and Outputs Table

APPENDIX H Registered Apprenticeship Key Evaluations

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $113,000,000 in grant funds authorized by the National Apprenticeship Act for the Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) grant program.

Of the $113,000,000 available for the ABA grant program, awards will range from $1 million up to $8 million. The Department intends to fund, in aggregate across all grant categories, up to $50,000,000 for projects primarily focused on equity partnerships and pre-apprenticeship activities. The Department plans on awarding a range of 20-30 grants. Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) are a strategy that allows industry, workforce stakeholders, and the education community to match career seekers with in-demand jobs in diverse industries and occupations. Under 29 CFR Part 29, RAPs include five key elements: progressively increasing wages, on-the-job learning, related instruction, mentorship, and an industry-recognized credential.

The Department has made significant strides in expanding RAP opportunities over the last 10 years by registering over 1.9 million apprentices and creating over 13,500 new RAPs. The Biden Administration supports the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship, including youth apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeships that lead to RAPs. The Administration is focused not only on expanding the number of programs and apprentices, but also diversifying the industries that utilize Registered Apprenticeship and increasing access to, and completion of, RAPs for underrepresented populations and underserved communities. Registered Apprenticeship can provide a path to quality jobs for all qualified individuals, including underrepresented populations (which may include women, people of color, and people with disabilities, as established in 29 CFR Part 30, where that population’s participation in RAPs is less than would be reasonably expected given the availability of such individuals for apprenticeship in the relevant industry, occupation, or recruitment area) and underserved communities (including veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and youth). Within the youth population, applicants may serve a wide range of individuals, such as high school and opportunity (out-of-school) youth, youth who are employed or unemployed, justice-involved youth, youth from underrepresented populations, [i.e., people of color, women, people with disabilities], and other youth with barriers to employment including foster youth, parenting youth, and housing insecure youth.

Through the ABA grant program, the Department will continue efforts to expand, diversify, and strengthen the Registered Apprenticeship system through support for public and private partnerships designed to serve a range of industries and individuals. RAPs and pre-apprenticeship leading to RAP enrollments can be designed to serve a range of industries and individuals from underrepresented populations and underserved communities, allowing for diversification in program delivery to address individual participant needs.

Collectively, ABA grantees will work with a range of partners to support the development of the Registered Apprenticeship ecosystem and meet the following goals: 1) build and modernize state apprenticeship systems; 2) expand RAP opportunities for youth; 3) ensure equitable RAP pathways through pre-apprenticeship leading to RAP enrollment and equity partnerships; and 4) invest in apprenticeship hubs to facilitate the establishment, scaling, and expansion of RAPs in new and fast-growing industries and occupations. In addressing these goals, applicants must incorporate specified cross-cutting principles fundamental to the ABA grant program to ensure access to quality RAPs for all Americans. These include 1) equity, 2) job quality, 3) support for high quality, scalable, and sustainable programs, 4) evidence-based approaches, and 5) new opportunities for innovation, engagement, and ease of access.

Eligible applicants vary by grant category. Please see Section III.A for eligible applicants.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. PROGRAM PURPOSE

This announcement solicits applications for the ABA grant program.

In February 2021, the White House released a fact sheet reaffirming the President’s intention to strengthen Registered Apprenticeship and to assist the Department in expanding and modernizing the registered apprenticeship system while promoting equity and access.1 The need for a coordinated national investment strategy for Registered Apprenticeship is critical to support the Administration’s goals and priorities, particularly with the groundbreaking passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The ABA grant program builds on the Department’s previous and ongoing efforts to expand and modernize Registered Apprenticeship through expanding the number of programs and apprentices, diversifying the industries that utilize Registered Apprenticeship, and increasing access to and completion of RAPs for underrepresented populations and underserved communities.

Additionally, ABA grants will accelerate the Administration’s goals and priorities for an economic recovery post-COVID-19 pandemic by connecting more Americans to good jobs and careers in priority industry sectors, including those industries impacted by the pandemic, such as transportation and other occupations and industries in the critical supply chain.2

Building, expanding, and sustaining RAPs requires significant industry engagement and broad public-private partnerships under normal circumstances. During a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic hardships, RAPs offer an important solution to these challenges. A top priority for many companies has been to address talent questions, including how to attract and retain workers while seeking to diversify their workforce. At a moment when employers are seeking to swiftly rebuild their workforce, Registered Apprenticeship, which provides a job, and a worker, from day one, is a particularly valuable tool for industry. Through the ABA grant program, grantees will use RAPs and pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to RAP enrollment as a workforce development solution – to bridge opportunity gaps, support the development and diversification of talent pipelines, advocate for RAPs in emerging industries, and develop a diverse and skilled workforce that can meet industry demands while allowing participants to obtain quality jobs that pay family-sustaining wages. Further, as economic recovery progresses, we must expand opportunities within our workforce that are inclusive of individuals who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. RAPs offer these opportunities by allowing Registered Apprentices to earn while they learn and by providing a pathway to well-paying careers and the ability to advance in those careers.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits applications for the ABA grant program to support a coordinated, national investment strategy that aims to strengthen and modernize the RAP system centered on equity and promote Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce development solution. The ABA grant program will fund grants in four categories that advance the set of core principles noted above. Applicants have the opportunity to apply for funding across four grant categories: (1) State Apprenticeship System Building and Modernization; (2) Expansion of RAP Opportunities for Youth; (3) Ensuring Equitable RAP Pathways Through Pre-Apprenticeship Leading to RAP Enrollment and Equity Partnerships; and

(4) Registered Apprenticeship Hubs.

Category 1: State Apprenticeship System Building and Modernization: Grantees will coordinate RAP expansion and system building efforts at a state level across a wide array of industry sectors with employers, labor organizations, educational institutions, industry groups, joint labor-management partnerships, workforce and apprenticeship intermediaries, community-based organizations, and other non-profit and public sector partners. Grantees will develop strategies to improve coordination efforts around system alignment, data quality and use, program expansion into target industries, and goals and strategies to ensure equity in RAPs, and also facilitate other data sharing, system change, and governance requirements to comply with the law and ensure a strong and modernized Registered Apprenticeship system.

Category 2: Expansion of RAP Opportunities for Youth: Grantees will establish and expand partnerships that commit to expanding RAPs and/or pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to RAP enrollment for youth through coordination with industry, workforce intermediaries, labor organizations, K-12 districts, community colleges, youth-serving and community-based organizations, and other stakeholders.

Category 3: Ensuring Equitable RAP Pathways Through Pre-apprenticeship Leading to RAP Enrollment and Equity Partnerships: Grantees will establish and develop equity-centered public-private partnerships with pre-apprenticeships leading to RAP enrollment that aim to increase diversity and equity in apprenticeship for underrepresented populations and underserved communities. Please see Appendix A for a definition on “Equity Partnerships.”

Category 4: Registered Apprenticeship Hubs: Grantees will establish a Registered Apprenticeship Hub by forming a multi-partner network capable of serving as a RAP sponsor or intermediary with the primary focus of supporting industry’s needs for creating and expanding RAPs in new and emerging sectors and occupations.

Cross-Cutting Principles:

Across all four grant categories, the ABA grants will incorporate the following cross-cutting principles into their projects to support the Administration’s goal of ensuring quality jobs for all workers:

Equity: Focus on expanding the diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) of RAPs into new and traditional industries to improve outcomes for workers from underrepresented populations and underserved communities. Grantees should be intentional and proactive in designing programs and strategies that ensure the greatest levels of DEIA. (See Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce3; Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government4; Executive Order on White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities5; and White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics6). In January 2021, the President issued Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. In support of this order, the ABA grant program will ensure equitable opportunities for federal funding by encouraging applications from organizations and institutions that serve underrepresented populations and underserved communities, such as Community-based Organizations and Minority Serving Institutions, and encouraging Equity Partnerships, as defined in Appendix A. Further, to promote inclusion of more individuals with disabilities in apprenticeship programs, DOL has set an aspirational goal that 7% of a covered sponsor’s apprenticeship workforce consist of qualified people with disabilities and encourages applicants to serve eligible people with disabilities in support of this goal.7

Job Quality: Focus on promoting RAPs as a key strategy to move workers into good jobs across all industries – especially critical, in-demand industries and occupations defined by the Administration – and promoting the hallmarks of RAPs (e.g., progressive wage increases), job quality (i.e., healthy, safe, and discrimination- and harassment-free workplace; benefits such as healthcare; opportunities for workers to exercise their legal right to organize and form or join a union; and more) and adaptable approaches to train workers.

Support for high-quality, sustainable programs: Focus on ensuring that all RAPs have the features of high-quality apprenticeships, such as progressive wage increase and national industry-recognized credential, and that those efforts support a broader workforce development agenda to support a sustainable apprenticeship system on a national scale.

Evidence-based approaches: Incorporate strategies to improve the efficient and effective use of evidence- and research-based approaches to support workforce development initiatives involving RAPs.

New opportunities for innovation, engagement, and ease of access: Focus on innovative strategies that support the expansion and modernization of RAPs, which may include, but are not limited to: engaging with new and underrepresented organizations in the apprenticeship system (such as Tribal organizations, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), small businesses, minority professional and trade organizations, minority college student organizations, minority alumni organizations, minority fraternities and Greek organizations, minority Chambers of Commerce, minority veterans organizations, faith-based organizations, organizations serving people with disabilities, etc.); developing RAPs in emerging industries; creating access to RAP opportunities for underrepresented populations and underserved communities; creating innovative diversity outreach strategies that are linguistically and culturally competent;

developing distance learning approaches; developing innovative program delivery models including the integration of technology; and leveraging technology to provide technical assistance, increase ease of access, remove employment and training barriers, and improve system alignment.

PROGRAM DESIGN/ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES

The ABA grant program will support, through a coordinated national investment strategy, a strengthened and modernized RAP system centered on equity that advances the Administration’s goals and priorities for an inclusive economic recovery by connecting more Americans to good jobs and careers, especially in high growth, in-demand industry sectors.

The Biden-Harris Administration supports the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship, including youth apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeships that lead to RAP enrollment. The ABA grant will expand opportunities in RAPs and pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to RAP enrollment during the grant period of performance through four categories of grant funding: (1) State Apprenticeship System Building and Modernization, (2) Expansion of RAP Opportunities for Youth, (3) Ensuring Equitable Apprenticeship Pathways through Pre-Apprenticeship Leading to RAP Enrollment and Equity Partnerships, and (4) Registered Apprenticeship Hubs. While grantees and their strategies will be diverse, within each category, they will share a set of common design elements. These common design elements include the requirements for RAPs, the quality framework for pre-apprenticeship programs, and cross-cutting principles.

1. Registered Apprenticeship Programs and Quality Framework for Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

RAPs and pre-apprenticeships leading to RAP enrollment that are funded and developed under this grant program must align with the requirements outlined below.

A. Registered Apprenticeship Programs RAPs are a proven model of job preparation, approved and validated by DOL or a DOL-recognized State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), which combine paid on-the-job learning (OJL) with related instruction (RI) to progressively increase workers’ skill levels and wages. RAPs are also a business-driven model that provide an effective way for industry to recruit, train, and retain highly skilled workers. RAPs allow workforce partners, educators, and employers to develop and apply industry standards to training programs, thereby increasing the quality of the workforce and workforce productivity. RAPs offer job seekers immediate employment opportunities that pay sustainable wages and offer advancement along a career path as they complete their training. Graduates of RAPs receive nationally recognized, portable credentials, and their training may be applied toward further post-secondary education.

RAPs are authorized through regulations issued under the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.). The Office of Apprenticeship (OA), in conjunction with DOL-recognized SAAs, register programs for federal purposes, ensures that RAPs meet applicable federal and state laws and regulations, issues certificates of completion to apprentices, encourages the development of new programs through outreach and technical assistance, protects the safety and welfare of apprentices, and ensures equal employment opportunity for apprentices.

All RAPs contain the following five key elements:

1. Direct Industry Involvement. Employers, labor organizations, and other industry groups are the foundation of all RAPs and are an essential component in the design of a RAP. Industry organizations must play an active role in developing and expanding RAPs, providing mentoring, and are most critical in delivering the OJL component of the RAP.

2. Structured OJL. All RAPs include structured OJL. Companies hire apprentices and provide hands-on training from a mentor. This training includes a structured process to ensure apprentices obtain the skills and knowledge they must learn over the course of the program to be fully proficient in the occupation. The term of apprenticeship for an individual apprentice may be measured through the completion of the industry standard for on-the-job learning (at least 2,000 hours) (time-based approach), the attainment of competency (competency-based approach), or a blend of the time-based and competency-based approaches (hybrid approach). 29 C.F.R. § 29.5(b)(2) outlines the requirements of OJL for RAPs.

3. Related Instruction. Registered Apprentices receive RI or classroom instruction that complements the OJL. 29 C.F.R. § 29.2 defines “Related Instruction” as "an organized and systematic form of instruction designed to provide the apprentice with the knowledge of the theoretical and technical subjects related to the apprentice's occupation. Such instruction may be given in a classroom, through occupational or industrial courses, or by correspondence courses of equivalent value, electronic media, or other forms of self-study approved by the Registration Agency.” Federal regulations (29 C.F.R. § 29.5(b)(4)) recommend a minimum of 144 hours of RI, annually, for apprentices in RAPs. This instruction helps refine the technical and academic skills that apply to the job. An approved training provider, such as a community college, technical school or college, an apprenticeship training school, an online provider, the sponsor, or a combination of sources, may provide RI to the Registered Apprentice. (The grantee must ensure that the individual is a new Registered Apprentice before the approved training provider delivers RI as part of the grant). This instruction can be provided at the school, online, or at the work site. Delivery of RI can also be front-loaded, during which the RI occurs upfront and prior to the OJL, delivery can be simultaneously provided with the OJL (e.g., in the evenings or weekends), or delivery can be segmented or provided sporadically throughout the OJL. These different modalities highlight the flexibility inherent in the RAP model in order to meet unique industry needs.

4. Progressive Wage Increase. Registered Apprentices receive progressive wage increases as their skills and knowledge increase. In other words, they receive rewards for skills gained.

Progressive wage increases motivate apprentices as they advance through training and become more productive and skilled at their job. This is outlined in the apprenticeship agreement and program standards.

5. National Industry-Recognized Credential. Every graduate of a RAP receives a national industry-recognized credential, referred to as a Certificate of Completion, which is issued by the DOL or a federally recognized SAA. This portable credential signifies that the apprentice has completed the training necessary to perform in an occupation. Many RAPs (particularly in high-growth industries such as healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and transportation) also offer interim credentials and/or other industry-recognized credentials, as well as college credit, as apprentices master a variety of skills as part of a career pathway.

In addition to the five key elements, RAPs are required to follow labor standards and EEO protections as outlined in 29 CFR Part 29 and Part 30. For more information on additional elements, please review 29 CFR Part 29 and Part 30.

RAP expansion efforts include, but are not limited to:

Growing the RAP model into new or in-demand industries and occupations, including and within clean energy, public service, healthcare, childcare, construction, technology, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and transportation and other occupations and industries in the critical supply chain;

Expanding the use of the RAP model in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other workforce or education programs that can lead to RAPs, including pre-apprenticeships and other career pathways that lead to Registered Apprenticeships;

Increasing support of RAP stakeholders and sponsors in their diversity and inclusion efforts by actively working to support Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) efforts and the recruitment of underrepresented populations and underserved communities. These efforts can also include extending RAPs into new communities, including rural and urban neighborhoods; and

Building on existing RAP efforts already in place to maximize the use of resources and minimize the duplication of efforts, ultimately ensuring the core customers of the RAP system are served efficiently.

B. Quality Framework for Pre-apprenticeship Programs A pre-apprenticeship program is defined as a set of strategies designed to prepare individuals for entry into a RAP. Pre-apprenticeship programs differ from internships, job shadowing, externships, and co-ops, which may also offer individuals an opportunity to experience firsthand a profession or practice, but do not always engage in practical and applied experiential learning.

For the purposes of this FOA, pre-apprenticeship programs must include the following five elements to be considered a quality pre-apprenticeship program:

1. Designed in Collaboration with RAP Sponsors. Quality pre-apprenticeship programs are designed by organizations with input from a RAP sponsor. A pre-apprenticeship program’s educational and pre-vocational services prepare individuals to meet the entry requisites of one or more RAPs. They have training goals to teach participants a defined set of skills required and agreed upon by the RAP sponsor for entry into their programs. The start date and length of specific pre-apprenticeship programs may vary. Ideally, pre-apprenticeship programs provide an industry-recognized credential and possibly stipends or wages.

2. Meaningful Hands-on Training that Does Not Displace Paid Employees. Quality pre-apprenticeship programs provide hands-on training to individuals in 1) a workplace, 2) simulated lab experience, or 3) work-based learning environment, and also do not supplant a paid employee, while accurately simulating the industry and occupational conditions of the partnering RAPs, which includes observing proper supervision and safety protocols.

3. Facilitated Entry and/or Articulation. The purpose of a pre-apprenticeship program is to train individuals for entry into a RAP. A quality pre-apprenticeship program assists in exposing participants to local, state, and national apprenticeship programs and provides direct assistance to participants applying to those programs. Whenever possible, formalized agreements exist with RAPs that enable individuals who have successfully completed the pre-apprenticeship program to enter directly into a RAP. These may also include articulation agreements that allow the individual to earn advanced credit/placement for skills and competencies already acquired.

4. Sustainability Through Partnerships. To support the ongoing sustainability of a quality pre-apprenticeship partnership, such partnerships collaboratively promote the use of RAPs as a preferred means for industry to develop a skilled workforce and to create career opportunities and pathways leading to RAP enrollment for individuals.

5. Access to Appropriate Supportive Services. Quality pre-apprenticeship programs facilitate access to appropriate supportive services during the program; these supportive services may continue after the participant leaves the pre-apprenticeship program and enters a RAP. Services may include counseling, transportation assistance, childcare, and rehabilitative services, among others.

Pre-apprenticeship expansion efforts include, but are not limited to the following:

Growing the pre-apprenticeship model into in-demand industries and occupations, including and within clean energy, public service, healthcare, childcare, construction, technology, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and transportation and other occupations and industries in the critical supply chain;

Expanding on the use of the pre-apprenticeship model in the WIOA and other workforce or education programs that can lead to RAP and other career pathways that lead to RAP enrollment;

Increasing support of pre-apprenticeship stakeholders and customers in their diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts by actively working to support EEO efforts and the recruitment of underrepresented populations and underserved communities. These efforts can also include extending pre-apprenticeship for new populations and into new communities, including rural and urban neighborhoods; and

Building on existing pre-apprenticeship efforts already in place to maximize the use of resources and minimize the duplication of efforts, ultimately ensuring the core customers of the apprenticeship system are served efficiently.

Pre-apprenticeship programs funded through this grant must directly lead to RAPs during the grant period of performance. Pre-apprenticeship programs funded under this grant should ensure that the skills and competencies being developed align with industry needs. It is allowable and encouraged for pre-apprentice completers to receive grant-funded services in a RAP so they may be a grant participant.

2. ABA Grant Program Activities Applicants must propose projects that comprise all of the following activities:

Launch and/or Expand RAPs, increase RAP opportunities for youth, and/or pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to RAP enrollment.

Industry Engagement and Support: Grantees must engage employers and other industry organizations to demonstrate insights into industry and workforce needs; become partners in design, implementation and investment of resources; and develop longer-term relationships and efforts to support ongoing employer engagement.

Promotion and Outreach Activities: Grantees must engage in efforts to promote and conduct outreach to industry partners and stakeholders regarding the value and benefits of Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeships that lead to RAP enrollment, as appropriate.

Partnership Building: Grantees must identify and collaborate with a broad range of partners to promote RAPs and pre-apprenticeship programs. Grantees are expected to actively support the development and introduction of new apprenticeship partners, including employers, industry associations, labor unions, Registered Apprenticeship Intermediaries, and workforce and educational entities. Grantees are expected to directly and indirectly support the expansion of national, regional, and local RAP and/or pre-apprenticeship models.

Engaging Underrepresented Populations and Underserved Communities: Grantees must have a wide range of services, policies and procedures that enable them to effectively serve underrepresented populations and underserved communities specifically.

Leveraging Resources: Grantees must leverage local, state, federal, and private sector resources to increase the impacts of grant funding. Leveraged funds must be described in the Budget Narrative as described in Section IV.B.2. Project Budget.

Data-informed Decision Making: Grantees must use labor market information, industry and occupational trends, assessment data, and other information to guide investment, programmatic, and other key decisions regarding grant planning, implementation, and system capacity. All grantees are required to collect data on the required program elements for tracking and reporting performance outcomes of enrolled apprentices.

Policy and System Alignment: Grantees must align and connect with policies and initiatives across workforce development, economic development, education, and other systems to improve grant outcomes and create longer-term conditions for success.

3. ABA Grant Program Goals: ABA Grant Categories

In carrying out the above activities, applicants may apply to one or more of the below ABA grant categories based on eligibility of the applicant. For more information, please see Section III.A.

Eligible Applicants and Section III.C.2. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit.

A. Category 1: State Apprenticeship System Building and Modernization Grantees will coordinate RAP efforts across a wide array of industry sectors with employers, labor organizations, educational institutions, industry groups and associations, joint labor-management partnerships, workforce and apprenticeship intermediaries, community-based organizations, and other non-profit and public sector partners. Grantees will develop strategies to improve coordination efforts around data collection and data analysis, expand into target industries identified as part of the state’s sector strategies, set equity goals and implement equity strategies to ensure that all populations will be able to participate, persist, and succeed in RAPs, and facilitate other data sharing, system change, and governance requirements to comply with the law and ensure a strong and modernized Registered Apprenticeship system.

Under Category 1, states may also propose strategies related to serving youth in a RAP, pre-apprenticeship leading to a RAP enrollment, equity partnerships, or the establishment of Registered Apprenticeship Hubs. ABA grantee(s) must do the following, at a minimum, as allowable activities under this grant category:

1. Comply with Registered Apprenticeship regulations. The Department is interested in investing in states that are committed to complying with 29 CFR Parts 29 and 30 to promote the standardization of RAPs and build a unified national apprenticeship ecosystem. This includes sharing of data and ensuring that quality programs are registered within the State and align with the five key areas of RAPs: OJL, RI, progressive wages, mentoring, and national industry-recognized credential attainment to ensure reciprocity across the National Apprenticeship system. OA states and SAAs can demonstrate their efforts to better align with the National Apprenticeship System and create opportunities for increased conformity with 29 CFR Parts 29 and 30 by engaging in the following activities:

a. Establish or fortify systems and processes by which apprentice information is entered into OA’s case management and recordkeeping systems;

b. Create programs, campaigns, and initiatives in support of the implementation of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations;

c. Provide for quality oversight of EEO compliance programs;

d. Align registration documents and/or standard operating documents with OA’s Boilerplate Standards and Standards Builder; and

e. Establish innovative partnerships with workforce intermediaries, educational partners, and community organizations that demonstrate linkages between apprenticeship and the State’s economic development strategies.

2. Provide support for critical evidence-based strategies that are strongly associated with Registered Apprenticeship grantee success, including industry incentives, covering the cost of RI, and the provision of supportive services. Specifically, applicants will describe strategies for the following:

a. Promoting Industry Demand by providing support for establishing and sustaining RAPs. Applicants will identify opportunities to provide incentive funding to employers, joint or non-joint employer groups, and other industry organizations that support establishing and expanding quality RAPs and opportunities for apprentices. These efforts also include creating new national guideline standards and/or local program standards for new RAPs with local, regional, or national employers.

b. Leverage resources to support covering the cost of RI. Develop and implement systems alignment efforts to leverage and braid federal and state funding to support covering the cost of the RI for Registered Apprentices.

c. Support apprentices in entering and successfully completing RAPs. Ensure the provision of critical supportive services and other related costs necessary to support apprentices in successfully completing RAPs. Applicants may propose a wide range of supportive services to apprentices, including but not limited to housing, transportation, childcare, counseling, and other needs.

3. Diversify industry representation. Expand into target industries identified as part of the state’s sector strategies. The Department is particularly interested in expanding RAPs in new or in-demand industries and occupations including clean energy, public service, healthcare, childcare, construction, technology, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and transportation and other occupations and industries in the critical supply chain. States are strongly encouraged to develop state-based apprenticeship hubs (sector-based sponsors and/or intermediaries) to support expansion into new industries.

4. Diversify RAP designs and talent pipelines. Applicants will propose to identify and implement equity goals and strategies to ensure that all populations will have equal opportunities to participate, persist, and succeed in RAPs. This includes actively increasing access to and opportunities for youth, women, people of color, people who are formerly incarcerated, and people with disabilities (as defined in 29 CFR Part 30) to enroll and succeed in RAPs. Additionally, applicants will propose to work with education and industry stakeholders to modify and/or develop curricula to prepare individuals for entry into a RAP, including the incorporation of quality pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to a RAP enrollment, which may include the WIOA programs, such as YouthBuild and Job Corps.

5. Use a data-driven decision approach to accelerate RAPs. Applicants must propose to facilitate data sharing, system change, and governance requirements to comply with the law and ensure a strong RA system. This includes unifying Information Technology (IT) systems across states to align with Registered Apprenticeship systems, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Data System (RAPIDS), Workforce Integrated Performance System (WIPS), and other workforce systems. Grantees will also create or update state data collection systems to better track apprentice outcomes in the state and collect grant-specific data on the required program elements for tracking and reporting performance outcomes of enrolled apprentices.

6. Implement COVID-19 mitigation strategies to upskill and encourage ease of access to RAPs. Grantees are expected to co-enroll and leverage existing federal, state, local, and private-funded programs to advance RAPs within the state. These efforts should include developing strategies to address the challenges and barriers due to the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. moving 100% online, developing new curriculum, keeping people engaged when they were laid off, and adapting to immediate need of healthcare workers and first responders), developing flexible models and modalities to serve apprentices (e.g.

transition RI to online delivery), and implementing programs that align with local labor market information resulting from the impact of COVID-19. This also includes using existing resources such as apprenticeship.gov and other workforce development tools to connect industry, educators, and career seekers. Please see Appendix B for more information on COVID-19 resources.

B. Category 2: Expansion of RAP Opportunities for Youth

Grantees will establish partnerships that commit to expanding opportunities in RAPs and pre-apprenticeship that lead to enrollment in RAPs for youth by leveraging relationships with industry, workforce intermediaries, labor organizations, K-12 districts, community colleges, youth-serving and community-based organizations, and other stakeholders.

The ABA grantee(s) will do the following, at a minimum, as allowable activities under this grant category:

1. Develop and implement a youth-centered approach in deploying RAPs. Grantees are expected to form regional, state, and national partnerships with industry and education stakeholders to expand RAP opportunities for youth, including high school students, opportunity youth, housing insecure youth, justice-involved youth, young parents, and youth from low-income disadvantaged backgrounds. This includes integrating RAPs into education and existing youth serving systems, policies and programs including Career and Technical education, dual enrollment and dual credit across high school and college, and WIOA Youth programs. While grantees should focus on attracting and retaining the participants identified above, all RAPs must provide for equal employment opportunity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), genetic information, or disability, in accordance with 29 CFR Part 30.

2. Develop and launch industry-relevant RAPs to increase opportunities for serving youth.

Grantees are expected to develop RAPs standards across a plethora of industries to attract both high school and opportunity youth in in-demand occupations. This includes coordinating with local, regional, and national employers and other industry organizations, and working within the education system to design RI that meet educational and industry standards and satisfies the requirements of RAPs in 29 CFR Part 29. Additionally, grantees will coordinate with employers to design programs that are flexible with learning objectives and offer participant assessments to determine skill levels, aptitudes, abilities, interests, and competencies of apprentices.

3. Invest in marketing and outreach to youth stakeholders related to Registered Apprenticeship. Grantees are expected to raise awareness and promote the adoption of RAPs at the secondary educational level. This includes the development of informational materials to educate influencers (parents, teachers, and school counselors) on the benefits of RAPs, and support the development of RI.

4. Serve high school and/or opportunity youth. Grantees should ensure RAPs are designed to increase opportunities for, and support the needs of, high school and/or opportunity youth.

5. Collaborate with local education and workforce systems to integrate RAP pathways serving youth through the development of policies to facilitate the dual-enrollment and transition from high school to RAPs. This also includes the integration of RAPs with existing youth-serving systems, policies and programs including Career and Technical Education (CTE), promoting innovation, inclusion, and alignment with CTE programs, dual enrollment and dual credit, and, as appropriate, co-enrolling with WIOA Youth programs. It is also about creating the training infrastructure or network to deploy RAPs for youth; and developing or modifying training activities to meet the needs of youth apprentices.8

6. Reduce associated costs for participation in RAPs serving youth. Grantees are allowed to cover the cost of RI though grant funds and/or leveraged resources, as well as OJL by reimbursing employers for those activities (negotiated reimbursement percentage may not exceed 50 percent of the participant’s hourly wage). Similarly, grantees are allowed to cover the costs of supportive services which may include transportation, childcare, dependent care, housing, counseling, and needs-related payments that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in education and training activities funded through this grant (funding for supportive services may not exceed 20 percent of the total grant).

7. Provide technical assistance to RAP stakeholders. Grantees should provide all grant recipient designated partners (e.g., education stakeholders, workforce boards, industry organizations, labor organizations, and employers) with technical assistance, advice, and support to help create RAP standards for RAPs developed and launched to increase opportunities for youth.

C. Category 3: Ensuring Equitable RAP Pathways Through Pre-apprenticeship Leading to RAP Enrollment and Equity Partnerships Grantees will develop and promote public-private partnerships to advance RAPs and pre-apprenticeships that lead to a RAP enrollment aimed at increasing diversity and equity in apprenticeship for underrepresented populations and underserved communities.

The ABA grantee(s) will do the following, at a minimum, as allowable activities under this grant category:

1. Invest in marketing and outreach to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in RAPs. Grantees are expected to raise awareness about the various types of Registered Apprenticeship pathways to underrepresented populations and underserved communities. This includes connecting with organizations that serve these groups, such as HSIs, MSIs, HBCUs, CBOs, faith-based organizations, and businesses to educate diverse stakeholders of the benefits and return on investment of RAPs in in-demand, high growth sectors. In addition to this outreach, grantees are expected to develop partnerships with those equity- focused organizations, as described.

2. Provide funding to build talent pipelines/on ramps to RAPs. Grantees are expected to connect with quality pre-apprenticeship programs, including WIOA Youth programs, to develop apprenticeship roadmaps that enroll pre-apprentices successfully into RAPs. This may include working with pre-apprenticeship programs to develop curricula to facilitate a smooth transition into RAPs, covering the costs of RI, OJL, and supportive services upon entry into RAPs, and providing incentive funding for employers to expand RAP opportunities for underrepresented populations and underserved communities.

3. Develop equitable pathways to Registered Apprenticeship through pre-apprenticeship and equity partnerships. Grantees are expected to expand RAP opportunities for underrepresented populations and underserved communities.

4. Provide supportive services for pre-apprentices. Grantees are expected to provide wrap-around/supportive services, including housing, childcare, transportation, counseling, and other services, that enable individuals to participate and succeed in a pre-apprenticeship leading to enrollment in a RAP.

5. Encourage the use of portable and stackable credentials. Grantees are expected to support the use of industry recognized stackable credentials in a pre-apprenticeship program will strengthen the pre-apprentice’s skills and knowledge prior to RAP enrollment.

6. Provide clear pathways from pre-apprentice to RAP enrollment.

Grantees are expected to propose pre-apprenticeship programs that are connected to a RAP sponsor and will enroll pre-apprentices into RAPs.

D. Category 4: Registered Apprenticeship Hubs Grantees will establish a Registered Apprenticeship Hub(s) by forming a multi-partner network capable of serving as a RAP sponsor or intermediary with the primary focus of supporting industry’s needs for creating and expanding new and emerging sectors and occupations. Hubs can be led by a variety of organizations and are encouraged to include additional areas of focus (e.g. youth, equity, career pathways leading to RAP enrollment) beyond the primary focus of expansion of Registered Apprenticeship in the target industry or industries.

As a Registered Apprenticeship Hub, the ABA grantee(s) will do the following, at a minimum, as allowable activities under this grant category:

1. Serve as Registered Apprenticeship intermediaries to develop and launch RAPs. The main purpose of the RAP Hubs is to support the needs of industry to facilitate the development and expansion of RAPs across a spectrum of sectors and occupations.

Apprenticeship Hub grantees can include a wide variety of organizations (employer, industry, labor, equity, regional, workforce, or education). These organizations serve as intermediaries (program sponsors or industry-driven organizations) working across multiple regions or communities in a sponsor or TA capacity.

2. Provide incentive funding to support RAP employers. Grantees are expected to provide incentive funding to new employers, joint or non-joint employer groups, joint labor-management organizations, or industry associations to directly fund the development of RAPs or other program development needs. Grantees should also conduct due diligence in identifying opportunities to support employers from various geographic regions, including those in rural and low-income communities, and employers and small businesses, including those owned by members of underrepresented populations and underserved communities.

3. Connect with national, regional, state, and/or local employers and industry groups to expand Registered Apprenticeship. Grantees are expected to develop partnerships with employers and industry groups, including labor, in the identified sector(s) and act as the sponsor or intermediary to facilitate the development of large-scale, multi-employer apprenticeship programs. Hubs are intended to serve as engines of growth that can promote expansion of RAP opportunities.

4. Develop a network of partners to support the rapid development, scaling, and deployment of RAPs. Grantees are expected to develop a broad network of partners including employers, industry associations, labor unions, Registered Apprenticeship intermediaries, and workforce, equity, and educational entities with a focus on supporting the broad needs of specific industry sectors to expand Registered Apprenticeship.

5. Develop technical assistance resources to launch RAPs in critical industries. Grantees must develop and use resources to assist employers, including small businesses, including those owned by members of underrepresented populations and underserved communities, in understanding the requirements of launching RAPs.

6. Promote and encourage employers to utilize pre-apprenticeship directly leading to a RAP.

Through a network of partnerships, grantees contribute to comprehensive career pathways (and services) within the chosen industry through curriculum development, coverage…