TEGL_15-19.pdf

CLASSIFICATION

EMPl,..OYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION Funding Vehicle

ADVISORY SYSTEM CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OA

Washington, D.C. 20210 DATE April 14, 2020

ADVISORY: TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER NO. 15-19

STATE GOVERNORS TO:

ST ATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES

STATE WORKFORCE ADMINISTRATORS

STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCIES

STATE DIRECTORS, OFFICE OF APPRENTICESHIP

STATE WORKFORCE LIAISONS

STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE BOARD CHAIRS AND DIRECTORS

STATE EDUCATION AGENCIES

FROM: JOHNPALLASCH ~

SUBJECT:

Assistant Secretary

Availability of Program Year 2019 Funding for State Apprenticeship Expansion Grants, "Building State Capacity to Expand Apprenticeship through Innovation" ·

1. Purpose. This Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) announces the availability of $73 million in Program Year (PY) 2019 funds to States through tiered funding.

The goal of these funds is to expand the national Registered Apprenticeship system by funding baseline activities that improve States' ability to serve, improve, and strategically scale the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) model described in 29 C.F.R. parts 29, Subpart A, and 29 C.F.R.30; and to fund innovations aimed at using RAPs as a tool for developing the economy and building infrastructure.

Specifically, States will use grant awards to pursue the following goals and activities:

A: Tier I (Required): Baseline Goals and Activities: Every State applying that meets the application requirements will receive a base amount of funding ($450,000 for States and $300,000 for U.S. territories) to engage in activities to strengthen the structures supporting RAPs in their State. See Appendix III for details.

B: Tier II (Optional): Innovation Goals and Activities: ETA will award States as much as $9 million if their application demonstrates improvements and innovations to RAPs in their State that spread the RAP model, develop infrastructure, and impact other significant policy issues. Applications must also credibly demonstrate that stated goals can be accomplished during the life of the grant. See Appendix III for details.

RESCISSIONS

None

EXPIRATION DATE

Continuing

This TEGL also announces application procedures and provides guidance on the use of funds.

Beginning in Program Year 2020, the Department intends to award funds competitively through a Funding Opportunity Announcement. Further, if additional funds remain available after awards are made under this TEGL, ETA will use the remaining balance to award grants through other competitively awarded RAP funding opportunities announced by the

Department in PY 2019.

Funds awarded come from the Department’s annual appropriated funds to develop and expand RAPs. This appropriation allows the Department to grant funds to “[e]xpand opportunities relating to apprenticeship programs registered under the National

Apprenticeship Act[.]” This means recipients must spend these funds on activities that will create or assist in the creation of RAPs.

The term “State” means “any of the 50 States of the United States, District of Columbia, or any Territory or possession of the United States.”1 For the purposes of this TEGL, territories or possessions of the United States are defined as Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

2. Action Requested. States must submit applications responding to TEGL 15-19 including all required documents detailed in Appendix V to www.Grants.gov no later than 11:59:59 P.M.

E.D.T., May 21, 2020.

3. Summary and Background.

a. Summary – This TEGL solicits applications from States for the State Apprenticeship

Expansion Grants, “Building State Capacity to Expand Apprenticeship through

Innovation” grants.

b. Background – In June 2017, the President issued an Executive Order (E.O.) 13801, Expanding Apprenticeship in America, with a focus on preparing workers to fill both existing and newly created jobs, and to prepare workers for the jobs of the future.2

Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and apprentices can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential. The

E.O. directs the federal government to “promote apprenticeships and effective workforce development programs.”

1 e-CFR 29:29.2 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b9997eeaeab45b77ad8522923a1e0567&mc=true&node=se29.1.29_12&rgn=div8.

2 Executive Order on Expanding Apprenticeships in America, available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/3245/.

http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b9997eeaeab45b77ad8522923a1e0567&mc=true&node=se29.1.29_12&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b9997eeaeab45b77ad8522923a1e0567&mc=true&node=se29.1.29_12&rgn=div8 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/3245/

Expanding apprenticeships can help individuals gain the skills necessary to fill vacancies and help employers find skilled workers more easily and quickly. Research suggests several factors contribute to the current skills gap: a lack of people with fundamental employability skills; a lack of workers who have the specialized skills needed to fill many trade positions; and a lack of applicants in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) needed for many of today’s jobs.3 To address the skills gap, employers across all industries are increasingly turning to apprenticeship as a workforce development solution. With a 94 percent retention rate and proven return on investment, companies of all sizes are creating apprenticeship programs to train students and adults for careers of today and tomorrow. 4 Research has also shown a $1.47 5 return on investment for every dollar an employer spends on apprenticeship;

registered apprentices earn $300,000 6 more during their career than non-apprenticeship workers; and registered apprentice completers earn on average $70,000 per year,7 about $10,000 more than someone graduating with a degree.8

Other factors, including an aging workforce and technology changes, impact the unemployment rate in the country. The E.O. provides a roadmap for the government to address some of these concerns. Of note, the E.O. created a Task Force that provided several recommendations to best expand the apprenticeship model in America, including a recommendation on the identification and availability of capacity-building resources.

The Task Force report indicates that the government should provide “clarification or alignment of funding availability (or both) via [Workforce Innovation and Opportunity

Act] (WIOA), the Carl D. Perkins Career & Technical Education Act, Federal Work-

Study, and/or the Federal Pell Grant Program, at a minimum.”9

In addition to federal efforts, States have taken actions to share capacity-building resources and to encourage the alignment of multiple funding sources to support individuals entering apprenticeships. Most States have already developed apprenticeship

3 Business Roundtable, Closing the Skills Gap, available at https://www.businessroundtable.org/policy-perspectives/building-americas-tomorrow-ready-workforce/closing-the-skills-gap

4 U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions, available at https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e

5 U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions, available at https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e

6 U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions, available at https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e

7 https://www.doleta.gov/OA/data_statistics.cfm

8 U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship Toolkit Frequently Asked Questions, available at https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e

9 Taskforce on Apprenticeship Expansion Final Report to: the President of the United States, May 10, 2018, available at https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/docs/task-force-apprenticeship-expansion-report.pdf https://www.businessroundtable.org/policy-perspectives/building-americas-tomorrow-ready-workforce/closing-the-skills-gap https://www.businessroundtable.org/policy-perspectives/building-americas-tomorrow-ready-workforce/closing-the-skills-gap https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e https://www.doleta.gov/OA/data_statistics.cfm https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq.htm#2e https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/docs/task-force-apprenticeship-expansion-report.pdf https://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/docs/task-force-apprenticeship-expansion-report.pdf programs, while others have formed temporary work groups, advisory councils, or committees to study and better understand successes in apprenticeship and how state legislation could create these programs. Some States have also enacted laws to promote the alignment of apprenticeships with education systems, namely Career and Technical

Education (CTE) programs within high schools. In 2019, 26 States enacted 49 bills promoting workforce development programs at the post-secondary educational level.

Additionally, at least nine States introduced bills related to education and workforce development data.10

Since the passage of WIOA, the Department has published guidance, provided technical assistance, and encouraged States to integrate apprenticeships into workforce development strategies through their local workforce boards. Workforce boards are ideally positioned to integrate apprenticeships in local work-based learning agendas;

boards and the American Job Centers (AJCs) they oversee already provide training, refer job seekers to employment opportunities, and work with businesses to find talent development solutions that meet the local labor demand.11 By taking advantage of apprenticeship opportunities, boards and AJCs can expand work-based learning options to their jobseeker customers.

As it continues to provide guidance, the Department has allotted funds to States to promote the development or expansion of RAPs with a focus on integrating RAPs into the local economy as a go-to workforce development solution.

Expanding Registered Apprenticeships means strategically scaling the RAP model into new industries and occupations; increasing diversity of RAP populations by actively recruiting veterans and their spouses, as well as those demographic groups historically underrepresented within RAPs (including women, people of color, ex-offenders, and persons with disabilities); and extending into new communities, including rural and inner-city employers.

In 2016, the Department awarded $50.5 million in State Apprenticeship Expansion (SAE) grants to expand RAPs to more workers and more companies and advance RAPs as a go-to talent solution within States’ education and workforce development systems.

Subsequently, the Department also awarded $49 million to support continued state apprenticeship expansion efforts.

In 2019, the Department awarded $73 million in Apprenticeship State Expansion grants to States to advance three goals: (1) increase the number of apprentices in RAPs nationwide; (2) support and encourage RAP diversification, including increasing the

10 Education Commission, Postsecondary Workforce Development Policy, https://www.ecs.org/wp-content/uploads/Postsecondary-Workforce-Development-Policies.pdf

11 National Association of Workforce Boards and Jobs for the Future, The State of Apprenticeship Among

Workforce Boards, available at https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/dc0a626e/files/uploaded/NAWB-

Apprenticeship-092717_Final.pdf https://www.ecs.org/wp-content/uploads/Postsecondary-Workforce-Development-Policies.pdf https://www.ecs.org/wp-content/uploads/Postsecondary-Workforce-Development-Policies.pdf https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/dc0a626e/files/uploaded/NAWB-Apprenticeship-092717_Final.pdf https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/dc0a626e/files/uploaded/NAWB-Apprenticeship-092717_Final.pdf diversity of apprentices and growing apprenticeship across industry sectors; and (3) support the integration of RAPs into State workforce development, education, and economic development strategies and programs, ensuring that Registered Apprenticeship is a viable career path for youth, adults, and career seekers, as well as a valuable workforce development strategy for businesses.

Building on these efforts, this TEGL creates a funding opportunity supporting statewide

RAP expansion through tiered funding as described above.

4. Program Authority. Funds awarded come from the Department’s annual appropriated funds to develop and expand RAPs. This appropriation allows the Department to grant funds to “[e]xpand opportunities relating to apprenticeship programs registered under the National

Apprenticeship Act[.]” This means recipients must spend these funds on activities that will create or assist in the creation of RAPs. Funding is authorized under the Department of

Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 115-245, Division B, Title I) and will be awarded under CFDA Number 17.285.

5. Inquiries. Please direct questions regarding this funding opportunity to Anu Mathew, Grants

Management Specialist, Office of Grants Management, at Mathew.Anu@dol.gov, specifically referencing “ETA-TEGL-15-19.” Applicants should include a contact name, phone number and email with all questions to provide a means of response. This announcement is available on the ETA website at http://www.doleta.gov/grants and at https://www.grants.gov.

6. References.

National Apprenticeship Act (Fitzgerald Act) o Original Version (https://www.doleta.gov/oa/history.cfm#original) o Amended Version (https://www.doleta.gov/oa/history.cfm#amendments)

Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs (Title 29, CFR Part 29, Subpart A) (https://www.doleta.gov/OA/pdf/FinalRule29CFRPart29.pdf)

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) in Apprenticeship (Title 29, CFR Part 30)

(https://www.doleta.gov/oa/eeo/)

Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 13-16: Guidance on Registered

Apprenticeship Provisions and Opportunities in the Workforce Innovation and

Opportunity Act (WIOA) (https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=9125)

7. Attachments.

Attachment I (Required): Applies to all applicants:

o I-1: Project Narrative Requirements – Tier I Baseline Goals and Activities o I-2: Work Plan Template o I-3: Template: Performance Outputs and Outcomes http://www.doleta.gov/grants https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.doleta.gov/oa/history.cfm#original https://www.doleta.gov/oa/history.cfm#original https://www.doleta.gov/oa/history.cfm#amendments https://www.doleta.gov/oa/history.cfm#amendments https://www.doleta.gov/OA/pdf/FinalRule29CFRPart29.pdf https://www.doleta.gov/oa/eeo/ https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=9125 o I-4: Budget Narrative Guidance o I-5: Governor’s Letter o I-6: Abstract

Attachment II (Optional): Applies only to applicants applying for Tier II funding:

o II-1: Project Narrative Requirements – Tier II: Innovation Goals and

Activities

Select Only One Option: Up to $3 million; $3,000,001 to $6 million;

or $6,000,001 to $9 million o II-2: Work Plan Template o II-3: Template: Performance Outputs and Outcomes o II-4: Budget Narrative Guidance

Attachment III: Application Submission Checklist

8. Appendices.

Appendix I: Primary Goals and Activities of this Funding Opportunity and

Definitions

Appendix II: Award Information

Appendix III: Goals and Activities o A: Tier I (Required): Baseline Goals and Activities o B: Tier II (Optional): Innovation Goals and Activities

Appendix IV: Funding Restrictions

Appendix V: Application Submission

Appendix VI: Application Review and Award

Appendix VII: Administrative Program Requirements

Appendix VIII: ETA Evaluation

Appendix IX: Reporting Requirements

Appendix X: Grant Recipient Training

Appendix XI: Agency Contacts

Appendix XII: OMB Information Collection

Appendix XIII: Resources

Attachment I-1

A: Project Narrative Requirements – Tier I: Baseline Goals and Activities (all applicants)

The Project Narrative must demonstrate your capability to implement the grant project in accordance with the provisions of this TEGL. It must provide a comprehensive framework and description of all aspects of the proposed project. It must be succinct, self-explanatory, and well organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

Please use the format below to develop your project narrative.

For applicants applying to Tier I, the Tier I final narrative is limited to 10 double-spaced single-sided 8 x 11 inch pages with 12 point Times New Roman font and 1 inch margins.

Applicants must number the Project Narrative beginning with page number “1”.

We will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process.

The following instructions provide all of the information needed to complete the Project

Narrative. Carefully read and consider each section, and include all required information in your

Project Narrative. You must use the same section headers identified below for each section of the Project Narrative.

i. Current State Capacity of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) in the State:

Provide a background on the landscape of current apprenticeship in your State, based on the most recent annual data:

Number of Existing RAP Sponsors;

Number of Existing RAPs;

Key Industries and Occupations with RAPs;

Number of registered apprentices;

o Aggregate Apprentice Demographic Information (i.e., gender, race, ethnicity, underrepresented populations, including women, people of color, ex-offenders, and persons with disabilities)

Current State Capacity/Structure for RAP Development/Outreach/Etc.;

Current Pipelines into RAPs; and

Current gaps, barriers, and challenges to develop or expand RAPs and/or the number of enrolled apprentices in a fiscal year.

ii. Tier I Baseline Goals and Activities (Required):

Each grant proposal must include strategies that address the required baseline goals and activities as described in Appendix III.

How do your proposed strategies address activities regarding governance and operations of RAPs within your State?

How do your proposed strategies address gaps in system alignment for RAP expansion?

How do your proposed activities improve data sharing and data integrity?

Note: Grantees must reach agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on how they will report performance under this list of activities.

iii. Staffing Plan and Organizational Structure:

Provide a detailed description demonstrating your capacity to effectively manage each component of the program including a narrative portion and functional organizational chart as indicated below:

Provide a detailed description demonstrating the lead applicant’s capacity to effectively manage each component of the program. Include a project management plan and a communications plan for efficient and effective management of the project with all partners and staff. Demonstrate the capacity to establish effective procurement processes, systems, and procedures and those of any partners who will be providing any services or conducting any activities under the grant (if applicable); and

Provide a detailed organizational chart that identifies the lead applicant, apprenticeship partnerships, and other proposed partners. The chart must describe the structure of the relationships of all partners involved in the project. The chart must also identify the proposed project’s staffing plan to illustrate that partners have the capacity to support the lead applicant to carry out the proposed project. The staffing plan must describe the qualifications and experience of all executive and administrative staff, as well as other personnel such as board members, advisors, and consultants, to fulfill the needs and requirements of the proposed project. Such qualifications and experience must demonstrate the ability to manage a strategic partnership, including fiscal and administrative management, outreach, and promotion. The chart should be included as an attachment to the project narrative and does not count toward the 10-page limit for

Tier I.

Attachment I-2

B: Suggested Work Plan Template for Base Funding Goals and Activities (all applicants)

Using the suggested work plan table format below, provide an overview of the activities, timelines, and key milestones. The work plan must clearly describe short-term, mid-term, and long-term milestones, and must include all of the following:

Project Goals: The overarching achievements that will be pursued;

Milestones: The key markers of grant progress. These are typically expressed in the form of an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development;

Key Activities: The major activities of the State’s apprenticeship expansion strategies, including timeframes for expanding existing RAPs, deployment of new apprenticeship programs, and/or enrollment of new participants in apprenticeship training;

Outcomes and Deliverables: The number of participants served, the required annual report, and other outcomes and deliverables of the project; and

Key partners: The partners identified for key activities.

EXAMPLE GOAL: Baseline Goal 1: National Apprenticeship System Building

States can spend base funding on developing structures that ensure that all

RAPs in the State have the features of high-quality apprenticeship described in

29 C.F.R. parts 29 and 30.

Activity: Lead/Support

Implementer(s):

Deliverable(s):

Milestones Timeframe Deliverable Dates

EXAMPLE GOAL: Baseline Goal 2: System Alignment for Apprenticeship Expansion

States can spend base funding to build statewide capacity to increase the number and quality of Registered Apprenticeships through stronger alignment with the education and workforce systems.

Attachment I-3

C: Performance Outputs and Outcomes (all applicants)

The performance outcomes measures indicated below must be included as an Attachment to the application. Applicants should provide performance outputs and outcomes, as appropriate for their proposed project.

DOL suggests the following format for applicants’ ease of use, although using this precise format is not required to receive a grant award:

A. Apprenticeship Employment & Training Apprentice Performance Outcomes

1.

Total participants served

Total number of all participants served (receiving a grant-funded service) in the program

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3:

Total:

1a.

Increasing Diversity of RAP

Total percentage of participants served in the program who are veterans and veterans’ spouses, as well as those demographic groups historically underrepresented within RAPs, including women, people of color, ex-offenders, and persons with disabilities.

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3:

Total:

2.

Total participants who enter a RAP

Note: The total apprentices newly enrolled in education/training activities should not exceed the total apprentices served.

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3

3.

Total registered apprentices who complete a RAP

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3

Total:

4.

Total participants who receive a degree, or other type of credential during the period of performance (including RA

Completion Certificate)

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3

B. Expanding Apprenticeship Program Outputs

1. Total number of newly created RAPs

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3:

Total:

2. Total number of newly created RAPs in a new industry

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3:

Attachment I-4

D: Budget Narrative Guidance (all applicants)

The Budget Narrative must provide a description of the costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A.

The Budget Narrative should also include a section describing any leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support grant activities; however, any indicated leveraged resources will have no bearing on the proposal review, or funding decision. Do not show leveraged resources on the SF-424 and SF-424A.

Each category should include the total cost for the period of performance. Use the following guidance for preparing the Budget Narrative:

1. Personnel – List all staff positions by title including the roles and responsibilities. State the annual salary of each person, the percentage of each person’s time devoted to the project, the amount of each person’s salary funded by the grant and the total personnel cost for the period of performance.

2. Fringe Benefits – Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc.

3. Travel – Specify the purpose, number of staff traveling, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips and other costs for each type of travel.

4. Equipment – Equipment is not an allowable cost under this funding announcement and this line must be left as zero.

5. Supplies – Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment.” The detailed budget should identify categories of supplies (e.g., office supplies). List the quantity and unit cost and total cost per item.

6. Contractual – For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose, activities, and estimated cost. Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards separately. Contracts are defined according to 2 CFR 200.22 as a legal instrument by which a non-federal entity purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a federal award. A subaward, defined by 2 CFR 200.92, means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a federal award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a federal program.

7. Construction – Construction costs are not allowed and this line must be left as zero. Minor alterations to adjust an existing space for grant activities (such as a classroom alteration) may be allowable. DOL does not consider this as construction and the costs must be shown on other appropriate lines such as Contractual.

8. Other – List each item in sufficient detail for DOL to determine whether the costs are reasonable or allowable. List item, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere.

9. Indirect Charges – If indirect charges are included on the SF-424A budget form, a

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) must be included as well as an explanation of how the indirect costs are calculated. This explanation should include which portion of each line item, along with the associated costs, are included in the applicants cost allocation base. Also, a current version of the NICRA or CAP should be provided as an attachment to the project narrative.

Note:

The SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative must include the entire federal grant Tier I

Baseline amount requested (not just one year).

Applicants should list the same requested federal grant amount on the SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative.

Attachment I-5

E: Governor’s Letter (all applicants)

The Governor or another chief elected official must provide a leadership commitment letter – to be uploaded to Grants.gov separately from the project narrative and work plan – demonstrating the State’s commitment to this effort. The letter must do the following:

Designate the State Agency to be the recipient of the award.

o Must be one of the eligible entities (see Appendix II: Award Information, Eligible

Applicants).

o Must commit to work in partnership with the State Apprenticeship Agency or federal Office of Apprenticeship working within the State.

Describe specifically how the Governor or chief elected official plans to support the expansion of quality and innovative apprenticeship training programs that are aligned with the WIOA State Plan.

The letter must be addressed to Brinda Ruggles, Grant Officer, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration Office of Grants Management, 200 Constitution Ave, NW Room N-4716, Washington, D.C. 20210.

For State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) States, applicants must identify and detail their engagement and collaboration with the SAA.

Attachment I-6

F: Abstract (all applicants)

Suggested Abstract Format

Please feel free to tailor the template as needed to fit your information.

2019 State Apprenticeship Expansion Grant

Lead Applicant Organization’s Name:

Tier I Funding Amount: State can receive a base amount of $450,000; U.S. territories receive $300,000.

If applicable, Tier II Funding Amount Request: Up to

$3 million, $3,000,001 to $6 million; or $6,000,001 to $9 million. Identify specific amount requested.

Tier I Baseline Goals:

1. National Apprenticeship System Building. States must spend base funding on developing structures that ensure all RAPs in the State have the features of high-quality apprenticeship described in 29 C.F.R. parts 29 and 30.

2. System Alignment for Apprenticeship Expansion. States must spend base funding to build statewide capacity to increase the number and quality of apprenticeships through stronger alignment with the education and workforce systems.

3. Improving Data Sharing and Data Integrity. States must spend base funding to improve data collection and sharing and data integrity.

Short Project Summary: Include identifying targeted industry(ies) and/or occupation(s).

Tier II Innovation Goals and Activities (if applicable):

Up to $3 million:

Select two of the Tier II Goals o Goal 1: Example B.vi. Establish statewide RAP industry intermediaries

(minimum of two).

o Goal 2: Example E.i. Establish or expand the role of the business service representative /apprenticeship navigator with the promotion of apprenticeship to partner systems (e.g., education, workforce, and economic development).

Set a goal of at least 10 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the current

State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the application that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal.

$3,000,001 to $6 million:

Select four of the Tier II Goals o Goal 1:

o Goal 2:

o Goal 3:

o Goal 4:

Set a goal of at least 20 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the current

State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the application that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal; and

Develop and operationalize at least one innovation using the Internet, software, and other technological resources to improve RAP marketing/promotion, business outreach, apprenticeship standards development, and apprenticeship access for under-represented populations.

$6,000,001 to $9 million

Select six of the Tier II Goals o Goal 1:

o Goal 2:

o Goal 3:

o Goal 4:

o Goal 5:

o Goal 6:

Set a goal of at least 25 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the current

State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the application that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal;

Develop and operationalize at least one innovation using the Internet, software, and other technological resources to improve RAP marketing/promotion, business outreach, apprenticeship standards development, and apprenticeship access for under-represented populations; and

Develop a 5-year plan making RAP a central workforce development strategy and tool for employers within the State.

Attachment II-1

A: Project Narrative Requirements – Tier II: Innovation Goals and Activities (Applicants applying for Tier II funding only)

Applicants may also apply for Tier II funding: Up to $3 million; $3,000,001 to $6 million; or, $6,000,001 to $9 million.

The Project Narrative must credibly demonstrate your capability to implement the grant project in accordance with the provisions of this Announcement. This demonstration must be included in the narrative response, and include evidence supporting it by attachment, reference, or hyperlink to the Project Narrative. The inclusion of evidence will count toward the page limit on the Project Narrative. The Project Narrative must provide a comprehensive framework and description of all aspects of the proposed project. It must be succinct, self-explanatory, and well-organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

Please use the following format to develop your project narrative. For Tier II funding, the final narrative is limited to 15 double-spaced single-sided 8 x 11 inch pages (in addition to your Tier I narrative) with 12 point Times New Roman font and 1 inch margins. Applicants must number the Project Narrative beginning with page number “1”.

We will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process.

The following instructions provide all of the information needed to complete the Project

Narrative. Carefully read and consider each section, and include all required information in your

Project Narrative. You must use the same section headers identified below for each section of the Project Narrative.

i. Tier II Required Goals and Activities

Each grant proposal must include strategies that address the required goals and activities (see

Appendix III for a detailed list of categories). Clearly identify which goals and activities you select and identify strategies for how you will achieve each of the selected goal and activity.

Up to $3 million: Two goals from different categories;

$3,000,001 to $6 million: Four goals from different categories; or

$6,000,001 up to $9 million: Six goals from different categories.

As described in Attachment II-3, the applicant must identify measurable performance outputs and outcomes for each goal and activity selected in the narrative above.

ii. Evidence of Past Performance:

In addition to identifying the goals from Appendix III, applicants must also provide evidence of past performance related to establishment or expansion of RAPs. Applicants must use the information below and provide the applicable past performance information in the project narrative. Supporting evidence must be included in the narrative response by attachment, reference, or hyperlink. Supporting evidence will count toward the page limit on application materials.

Full description of the applicant’s prior experience in the development of Registered

Apprenticeships or capacity to expand Registered Apprenticeships to local, state, regional or national scale. This could include evidence of existing partnerships, prior experience in expanding RAPs, and the number of apprentices placed in prior programs; and

Demonstration that partners have experience in engaging industry and employers in the adoption of RAPs, or in the development of work-based learning programs.

iii. State Apprenticeship 5-year Plans: (Only required for applicants applying for funding level greater than $6 million)

Identify a timeline for development and integration of a 5-year State Registered

Apprenticeship expansion plan, including key partners who will be involved in the process. Applicants who developed plans through the Apprenticeship Accelerator Grants

(TEGL-19-15) should ensure they are effectively integrating and/or expanding those plans as a result of these funds. Applicants should also ensure state plan development is reflected in the project work plan, including identifying target dates for the development, integration, and submission of a final outline and final plan submitted to DOL. States must commit to submitting a final outline for DOL approval at the end of year one, with a final plan submitted to DOL for approval 6 months prior to the end of the grant.

Attachment II-2

B: Suggested Work Plan Template for Additional Tiered Funding Applicants (Applicants applying for Tier II funding only)

Identify which funding amount you are applying for:

o Up to $3 million (select two goals); OR o $3,000,001 to $6 million (select four goals); OR o $6,000,001 to $9 million (select six goals);

Each goal must be reflected in the work plan.

EXAMPLE GOAL: Tier II Goals: $3 million

Goal #1:

Category D: Incorporate specific strategies to support or expand RAP opportunities among all workers, including women, minorities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with a criminal record.

EXAMPLE GOAL: Tier II Goals: $3 million

Goal #2:

Category B: Launch or expansion of sector strategy(ies) to expand RAPs to new industries and/or new or non-traditional occupations within existing sectors.

Attachment II-3

C: Performance Outputs and Outcomes (Applicants applying for Tier II funding only)

In alignment with the goals and activities identified in the Tier II narrative, applicants must identify measurable performance outputs and outcomes for each goal and activity selected.

Performance outputs and outcomes must be clearly defined and measurable.

Note: Grantees must reach agreement with the Department on how they will report performance.

Upon award, the Department will work with grantees to ensure performance outputs and outcomes are clearly defined and measurable.

Attachment II-4

D: Budget Narrative Guidance (Applicants applying for Tier II funding only)

The Budget Narrative must provide a description of the costs associated with each line item on the SF-424A.

The Budget Narrative should also include a section describing any leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support grant activities; however, any indicated leveraged resources will have no bearing on the proposal review, or funding decision. Do not show leveraged resources on the SF-424 and SF-424A.

Each category should include the total cost for the period of performance. Use the following guidance for preparing the Budget Narrative:

1. Personnel – List all staff positions by title including the roles and responsibilities. State the annual salary of each person, the percentage of each person’s time devoted to the project, the amount of each person’s salary funded by the grant and the total personnel cost for the period of performance.

2. Fringe Benefits – Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement, etc.

3. Travel – Specify the purpose, number of staff traveling, mileage, per diem, estimated number of in-state and out-of-state trips and other costs for each type of travel.

4. Equipment – Equipment is not an allowable cost under this funding announcement and this line must be left as zero.

5. Supplies – Supplies include all tangible personal property other than “equipment.” The detailed budget should identify categories of supplies (e.g., office supplies). List the quantity and unit cost and total cost per item.

6. Contractual – For each proposed contract and subaward, specify the purpose, activities, and estimated cost. Under the Contractual line item, delineate contracts and subawards separately. Contracts are defined according to 2 CFR 200.22 as a legal instrument by which a non-federal entity purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a federal award. A subaward, defined by 2 CFR 200.92, means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a federal award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a federal program.

7. Construction – Construction costs are not allowed and this line must be left as zero. Minor alterations to adjust an existing space for grant activities (such as a classroom alteration) may be allowable. DOL does not consider this as construction and the costs must be shown on other appropriate lines such as Contractual.

8. Other – List each item in sufficient detail for DOL to determine whether the costs are reasonable or allowable. List items, such as stipends or incentives, not covered elsewhere.

9. Indirect Charges – If indirect charges are included on the SF-424A budget form, a

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) must be included as well as an explanation of how the indirect costs are calculated. This explanation should include which portion of each line item, along with the associated costs, are included in the applicants cost allocation base. Also, a current version of the NICRA or CAP should be provided as an attachment to the project narrative.

Note:

The SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Narrative must include the entire Tier II federal grant amount requested (not just one year).

Applicants should list the same requested federal grant amount on the Tier II SF-424, SF-

424A, and Budget Narrative.

Attachment III-1

Application Submission Checklist (all applicants)

Applicants should use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package to ensure that the submitted application has all of the required documents. Note that this checklist is only an aid for applicants and should not be included in the application package. We urge you to use this checklist to ensure your application contains all required items.

Tier I Funding Request: required for all applicants

SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” o CFDA 17.285, Apprenticeship Grants o This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

Project Budget, to include:

o The SF-424A “Budget Information Form” o Budget Narrative

Project Narrative

Work Plan: This must be submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as “Tier I Work

Plan”

Participants served goals, and Performance Outputs and Outcomes: This must be submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as “Tier I Performance Outputs and

Outcomes

A letter from the Governor or chief elected for official: This must be submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as “Governor’s Letter”

Organizational Chart: This must be submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as

“Organizational Chart”

Abstract. This must be submitted as an attachment and clearly labeled as “Abstract”

Tier II Funding Request: optional

All additional documents for Tier II funding should be uploaded in www.grants.gov as

Other Attachments

Additional Tiered funding SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” – must be labeled as “Tier II SF424” o CFDA 17.285, Apprenticeship Grants o This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

Additional tiered funding Project Budget, to include:

o The SF-424A “Budget Information Form” – must be labeled as “Tier II SF-

424A” o Budget Narrative – must be labeled as “Tier II Budget Narrative” http://www.grants.gov/

Additional tiered funding Project Narrative – must be labeled as “Tier II Project

Narrative”

Additional tiered funding Work Plan – must be labeled as “Tier II Work Plan”

Participants served goals, and Performance Outputs and Outcomes – must be labeled as

“Tier II Performance Outcomes and Outputs”

APPENDIX

In this appendix, you will find the guidelines from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL or

Department) for the State grants awarded under TEGL-15-19.

Appendix I: Primary Goals and Activities of this Funding Opportunity and Definitions

Appendix II: Award Information

Appendix III: Goals and Activities o A: Tier I (Required): Baseline Goals and Activities o B: Tier II (Optional): Innovation Goals and Activities

Appendix IV: Funding Restrictions

Appendix V: Application Submission

Appendix VI: Application Review and Award

Appendix VII: Administrative Program Requirements

Appendix VIII: ETA Evaluation

Appendix IX: Reporting Requirements

Appendix X: Grant Recipient Training

Appendix XI: Agency Contacts

Appendix XII: OMB Information Collection

Appendix XIII: Resources

Appendix I

Primary Goals and Activities of this Funding Opportunity and Definitions

All States that meet the application requirements will receive a base amount of funds to improve the structures supporting Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) in their State. If States wish to receive more funds above this base amount, States must demonstrate in their application projects that address the goals and activities in Appendix III.

This tiered approach provides States maximum flexibility to address local apprenticeship needs while meeting the Department’s RAP priorities. Over the past decade, States have significantly invested in RAPs. However, the nature of how the Registered System is administered—in some

States by DOL-recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAA) and in others directly by

DOL—means that States have different needs in terms of governance, infrastructure, and support structures that are critical to successful RAP systems. Additionally, States have differing resources, labor markets, and compositions, meaning each State faces individualized challenges in ensuring all RAPs have the features of high-quality apprenticeship required by the

Department’s regulations at 29 C.F.R. parts 29 and 30. Thus, the first tier of baseline funding allows ETA to equitably divide funds allocated in this TEGL for RAPs to address each State’s most pressing needs in supporting Registered Apprenticeship. If applicants receive funding in the amounts described in Tier II, States may spend more than the base amount to accomplish these baseline goals and activities; however, they still must meet the goals and requirements for Tier II funding.

This funding opportunity has the following goals and activities:

A: Tier I: Baseline Goals and Activities (Required): Every State can receive a base amount of $450,000; U.S. territories receive $300,000; and all entities must use these funds to address the following three required baseline goals and activities. See Appendix III for details.

1. National Apprenticeship System Building. States must spend base funding on developing structures that ensure that all RAPs in the State have the features of high-quality apprenticeship described in 29 C.F.R. parts 29 and 30.

2. System Alignment for Apprenticeship Expansion. States must spend base funding to build state-wide capacity to increase the number and quality of apprenticeships through stronger alignment with the education and workforce systems.

3. Improving Data Sharing and Data Integrity. States must spend base funding to improve data collection and sharing and data integrity.

B: Tier II (Optional): Innovation Goals and Activities: ETA will award States as much as

$9 million to carry out activities above-and-beyond supporting the basic RAP structures in the State. There are three funding levels for this tier, and ETA will determine the award amount based on the goals selected by applicants from a list in Appendix III. Applications must credibly demonstrate that applicants could accomplish these goals during the life of the grant, as well as credibly demonstrate they can make substantial progress toward increasing the number of individual registered apprentices in the State by the end of the period of performance. Accordingly, all applications for Tier II funds must be supported by strong evidence of an applicant’s past performance in establishing and expanding

RAPs, in alignment with the criteria in Attachment II-1.

The following list details what applicants must do to receive awards at each funding level in this tier.

a. Up to $3 million:

Select two of the “Tier II Goals” in Appendix III and credibly demonstrate that these goals can be accomplished during the life of the grant using these funds; and

Set a goal of at least 10 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the current State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the application that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal. 1

b. $3,000,001 to $6 million:

Select four of the “Tier II Goals” in Appendix III and credibly demonstrate that these goals can be accomplished during the life of the grant using these funds;

Set a goal of at least 20 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the current State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the application that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal; and

Develop and operationalize at least one innovation using the Internet, software, and other technological resources to improve RAP marketing/promotion, business outreach, apprenticeship standards development, and apprenticeship access for under-represented populations.

c. $6,000,001 to $9 million:

Select six of the “Tier II Goals” in Appendix III and credibly demonstrate that these goals can be accomplished during the life of the grant using these funds;

Set a goal of at least 25 percent growth of new apprentices registered above the current State baseline during the life of the grant and credibly demonstrate in the application that you will make substantial progress toward meeting this goal;

1 Baseline: Defined by current number of active apprentices registered as indicated in RAPIDS for the quarter ending September 30, 2019 or by stick counts submitted to the DOL for the quarter ending

September 30, 2019.

Develop and operationalize at least one innovation using the Internet, software, and other technological resources to improve RAP marketing/promotion, business outreach, apprenticeship standards development, and apprenticeship access for under-represented populations; and

Develop a 5-year plan making RAP a central workforce development strategy and tool for employers within the State.

For Tier I and Tier II goals and activities, States must use the funding provided to expand RAPs, which are described in more detail below.

Registered Apprenticeship Programs:2

Apprenticeships registered by DOL or a recognized SAA are a proven model of job preparation that combine paid on-the-job learning (OJL) with related instruction to progressively increase workers’ skill levels and wages. RAPs are also a business-driven model that provides an effective way for employers to recruit, train, and retain highly skilled workers. RAPs allow employers to develop and apply industry standards to training programs, thereby increasing productivity and the quality of the workforce.