DESCRIPTION

Commonwealth Corporation is pleased to announce the release of the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund Addressing the Middle Skills Gap Grant Program Request for Proposals.

The Addressing the Middle Skills Gap Grant Program is designed to address the gap between the skills held by workers and the skills needed by employers for jobs that require more than a high school diploma but less than the equivalent of a 4-year degree.

Commonwealth Corporation seeks proposals from applicants that can work collaboratively through industry cluster partnerships to:

1. Implement a training strategy that will:

• Train and place un/under-employed Massachusetts residents into unsubsidized jobs and/or;
• Train and place disconnected young adults into unsubsidized jobs; and
• Train and support incumbent workers to advance to higher wage jobs.

2. Benefit participating business partners

3. Develop new systems, programs, or partnerships that last beyond the life of the grant

Required Letters of Intent: are due by November 19, 2012 - please see the Request for Proposals for more information.

Download Proposal (Word): Request for Proposals

Download Planning Formats (Excel): Parts 4-6

Additional Resources:

Program Design Checklists

Recorded Bidders’ Webinar (held on 10.19.12) 

Bidders' Webinar Registration List

List of WIA Fiscal Agents

Q&A - updated 12.20.12

Partnerships are encouraged to review all available funding sources to identify the grant program that is most aligned with the goals of their proposed program. In particular, organizations with incumbent worker training needs are encouraged to consider applying to the Workforce Training Fund Program.

Bidders are encouraged to propose working with veterans. Bidders that want assistance developing a strategy to serve verterans are encouraged to contact Brian Ottlinger, Program Coordinator, Veterans' Employment & Training Program at the Department of Career Services.

This solicitation is offered by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The grant program is funded by the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund and administered by Commonwealth Corporation.

CONTACT

DEADLINE : January 09, 2013