On Feb. 17, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the availability of $65 million in grants to expand community college access to in-demand training programs, with the overall goal of integrating education and workforce systems. This will be the sixth round for funding offered under the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants program.
In this round, DOL is focused “on building program and system capacity for implementing and scaling access to short-term training opportunities through Workforce Pell Grants.” This includes “promoting industry-driven strategies, worker mobility, and integration with the larger state workforce system.”
Priority will be placed on awards for state systems or consortia of colleges to support the development of data sharing and data systems that can demonstrate the outcomes required under Workforce Pell. The Department is expected to award six to 10 grants of up to $10.8 million over periods of four years.
Grants can also support the development and enhancement of high-quality, short-term programs that would be eligible for Workforce Pell. Programs must be portable and stackable while also meeting the hiring requirements of employers in in-demand industries. Eligible applicants include public and state controlled higher education institutions, but applicants must be consortia of multiple institutions. The deadline for applications is May 20. Find out more at https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361307.
