Grant Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)
Workforce Education and Training Fund Grant
Vermont Training Grants
FOA #: WETF – 2019 – VTRG
Total Funds Available: $350,000
Posted: February 18, 2019
Closes: March 18, 2019 at 4:30pm
I. Grant Funding Opportunity Description
The Workforce Education and Training Fund (WETF) supports up-skilling and re-skilling opportunities for Vermont workers through technical and academic instruction, on-the-job training, internships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, returnships, and other workforce development activities aimed at strengthening and expanding the labor force.
The Vermont Training Grants (VTG), funded through the WETF, provide grants to private, public, and non-profit entities – including school districts – for existing or new training programs that enhance the skills of Vermont workers. Training programs funded by VTG must lead to an industry recognized credential, post-secondary degree, certificate, or endorsement.
In fiscal year 2019, the Department of Labor is allocating $350,000 of the WETF in support of VTG. This funding opportunity announcement describes the process for awarding these funds through a competitive application process.
II. Award Information
Award Type and Amount
The total amount awarded under this FOA will be $350,000 and shall not exceed $60,000 per applicant. Grants will fund trainings for occupations in the following sectors: Health Care, Manufacturing, Construction, Business Services, and Transportation.
Allowed Uses
Grants may be used for direct instruction and related tuition costs for the following activities:
- Occupational or technical training
- Post-secondary academic instruction
- Competency based on-the-job training
- Related instruction for a registered apprenticeship
- Pre-apprenticeship instruction
Additionally, curriculum development, supplies, assessment fees, and administrative costs may be funded under this grant, but should not exceed 35% of the entire award.
Period of Performance
The period of performance for grants awarded under this funding opportunity is April 8, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Awardees may request a later start or end date and with the permission of the Commissioner of Labor.
Reporting
Grantees will submit quarterly fiscal and programmatic reports. The programmatic performance reports will consist of a data-driven template and a short narrative. The Department of Labor will provide guidance to grantees on the form and substance of both reports.
III. Eligibility & Application Information
Eligible Applicants
Public, private, and non-profit entities – including school districts – are eligible to apply for this grant. Organizations must be in good standing with the state and be able to comply with all standard state provisions and assurances contained in Attachment D: Standard State Provisions for Contracts and Grant as revised 12/15/2017.
Proposal Criteria
The Vermont Department of Labor is seeking proposals to support the creation and expansion of sector specific training grants. Grants under this FOA will fund trainings for occupations in the following sectors: Health Care, Manufacturing, Construction, Business Services, and Transportation.
Sector specific training funded through this grant opportunity must occur in one of the following formats:
- Occupational or technical training,
- Post-secondary academic Instruction,
- Competency-based on-the-job training,
- Related instruction for a registered apprenticeship, or
- Pre-apprenticeship instruction.
Trainings must result in an industry recognized credential, post-secondary credit, certificate, or other occupational endorsement.
Applicants must describe:
- The process for recruiting participants;
- Access to additional supports for participants, including mentoring, stipends, support services, career counseling, occupation-related instruction; if applicable;
- Credential that the training leads to;
- The expected number of participants;
- The connection between the training opportunity and an in-demand occupation; and
- Employers that will benefit from participants’ successful completion.
Application Process
Applicants shall submit applications to Sally Redpath (sally.redpath@vermont.gov) by close of application period. The application should include:
- Application (Attachment A)
- Budget form and narrative (Attachment B & C)
- Any additional information that is relevant to the review and selection process.
IV: Review & Selection
Selection Criteria
In addition to the proposal criteria listed in section III above, proposals addressing the following aims will be favored:
- Training that leads to an opportunity for permanent employment with employer;
- Strong occupational demand;
- Participants include individuals with barriers to employment, including ex-offenders, New Americans, disadvantaged youth, unemployed, and mature workers;
- Innovative ways to expand placements, including braiding of funds and matches or incentives offered by employers or third parties;
- To the extent possible, aligns with subsequent programs offered through the Vermont State College System, the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, or an accredited independent college located in Vermont; and
- Additional supports or benefits offered to participants by an employer or the training provider.
Application Review Process
The Department of Labor will create a grant review team with representatives from the Agency of Education, the State Workforce Development Board, and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. The team will consider applications using the selection criteria above and will submit recommendations for grant funding to the Commissioner of Labor by March 28, 2019. The Commissioner will make final determinations and applicants will be notified by April 1, 2019.
V. Department Contacts
For further information about this FOA, please contact Sally Redpath, Grant Manager, at (802) 828-4394, or sally.redpath@vermont.gov. Please reference this FOA # in your inquiries.