Funding-U.S. Dept. Labor Energy Training Partnership Grants and Pathways Out of Poverty Grants; August 20, 2009

The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has issued two Solicitations for Grant Applications (SGA) to provide training and placement services within the energy industry. An applicant may choose to submit an application for the Energy Training Partnerships SGA and the Pathways Out of Poverty SGA; however, DOL does not encourage applicants to submit applications to both competitions. An organization may not submit multiple applications in response to any one SGA. However, an organization that submits an application in response to one SGA is not precluded from participating as a suggested or required partner in applications submitted in response to the other SGA. 
 
Energy Training Partnership Grants
Energy Training Partnership funds are intended to provide training for workers that prepares them to enter the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, as well as green occupations within other industries, as described below. Individuals eligible for training include workers impacted by national energy and environmental policy, individuals in need of updated training related to the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, and unemployed workers. A portion of the funds under this Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) will be reserved for projects serving communities impacted by automotive-related restructuring.
 
Projects funded through this SGA will be implemented by partnerships made up of a diverse set of stakeholders including labor organizations, public or private employers in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, and the workforce system. Bringing to bear the workforce expertise of these groups will allow successful applicants to develop programs that are responsive to the needs of both workers and employers, and that provide participants with the support needed to successfully complete training.
 
Pathways Out of Poverty
Competitive grants under this Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) will fund projects that provide training and placement services to prepare individuals seeking pathways out of poverty for careers in the industries described below. Grantees selected from two separate types of applicants will be funded through this solicitation: (1) national nonprofit entities with networks of local affiliates, coalition members, or other established partners; and (2) local entities. Populations eligible to receive services through grants funded through this SGA include unemployed individuals, high school dropouts, individuals with a criminal record, and disadvantaged individuals living in areas of high poverty. As part of the technical review process, points will be awarded for applications that demonstrate that the proposed project serves areas of high poverty.
 
Successful training programs funded through this SGA will prepare participants for employment within the industries described below, and will: (1) Include sound recruitment and referral strategies for targeted populations; (2) integrate basic skills and work-readiness training with occupational skills training, as necessary; (3) combine supportive services with training services to help participants overcome barriers to employment, as necessary; and (4) provide training services at times and locations that are easily accessible to targeted populations.

Both Programs

The Department of Labor will award grants to workforce development projects that focus on connecting target populations, including workers affected by significant automotive industry restructuring, to career pathways in green industries. Training programs will prepare individuals for careers in any of the seven energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, which include:

The energy-efficient building, construction, and retrofit industries;

The renewable electric power industry;

The energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicle industry;

The biofuels industry;

The deconstruction and materials use industries;

The energy efficiency assessment industry serving residential, commercial, or industrial sectors; and

Manufacturers that produce sustainable products using environmentally sustainable processes and materials.

Additionally, the Department is interested in applicants contributing to our understanding of green industries and jobs that clean and enhance our environment. Initial research supported by the Department of Labor shows that there are ``growth, enhanced and emerging'' green occupations across a number of industries. Applicants may propose strategies that train for those occupations from among the following industries: Transportation; green construction; environmental protection; sustainable agriculture including healthy food production; forestry; and recycling and waste reduction (see the O*NET report at http://www.onetcenter.org/reports/Green.html). The Department will consider proposals that focus on these occupations within these industries if applicants can offer supporting data demonstrating these are emerging industries which are producing jobs in their communities.

 
See the following links for more information on: 
 Energy Training Partnership Grants http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-14924.htm 
 Pathways Out of Poverty Grants http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-14928.htm

Because of the Department of Labor only allows one proposal submission to each of these SGAs, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to either program are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, August 20, 2009:

a) Names and departments of PI and other UK personnel

b) Name of program (Energy Training Partnership or Pathways Out of Poverty)

c) Narrative (maximum 4 pages) – include the following information: Statement of Need; Project Management and Organizational Capacity; Strategy and Project Work Plan; and Outcomes and Deliverables

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission in time for the Energy Training Partnership’s September 4, 2009 deadline and/or the Pathways Out of Poverty’s September 29, 2009 deadline.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).