Green Jobs Innovation Fund
Grant: Green Jobs Innovation Fund
Agency: U.S. Department of Labor
Division: Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Deadline: March 29, 2011
Description: The Employment and Training Administration announces the availability of approximately $40 million in grant funds for the Green Jobs Innovation Fund (GJIF). The GJIF supports two of the goals of the U.S. Department of Labor: to increase the number of individuals completing training programs who receive industry-recognized credentials and to increase the number of individuals completing training programs for employment in green jobs.
Awards from this program will fund training programs to provide technical and basic skills training that leads to green job opportunities. Awardees are expected to ensure that training participants receive comprehensive job training and support services that move them into and along a green career pathway. With these grants, the U.S. Department of Labor hopes to emphasize links between Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs and to integrate the delivery of skills training through community-based partnerships. There is also an emphasis on coordinating with and leveraging the resources of other federal, state and local agencies.
Competitive grants funded through the GJIF program are available to applicants with existing career training programs that are already established and serving workers but not necessarily funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. Lead applicants must serve as the central organization to develop or coordinate the proposed project and convene any relevant partners and must deliver services through local affiliates in at least six communities.
Creating career pathways, defined as “a framework for weaving together adult education, training and college programs...and connecting those services to employers' workforce needs,” is of particular importance in this program. The U.S. Department of Labor, therefore, is especially interested in applicants that emphasize the integration of critical components along green career pathways by:
- Forging stronger linkages between Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
- Integrating the delivery of technical and basic skills training through community-based partnerships.
For more information about the definition of “green jobs,” visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Fit for Public Broadcasting: While public media stations likely do not fit the eligibility requirements of this grant program, they have expertise that makes them valuable partners to eligible larger organizations that are required to implement programs in local communities. Community-based job training programs are the goal of projects funded by this grant. Public media stations with experience in implementing adult education and job training curricula should discuss partnership opportunities with national or statewide labor organizations with local affiliates. The Employment and Training Administration is interested in programs that integrate basic skills training, including basic adult education and English as a Second Language instruction, with technical skills training, and public media stations are well-positioned to deliver this training.
Eligibility: These funds are available to applicants with existing career training programs, including pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs. The U.S. Department of Labor intends to award large grants to national and statewide organizations with local affiliates in at least six communities per grant. Eligible applicants must apply under one of three categories: national labor-management organizations with local affiliates, national nonprofit organizations with local affiliates, or statewide nonprofit organizations or state Workforce Investment Act administering agencies with local affiliates. Applicants are required to partner with organizations in two categories: employers or industry organizations and invested partners.
Anticipated funding: The U.S. Department of Labor intends to award up to $40 million in grant funds. Individual grant awards will range from $5 million to $8 million, and there will be approximately five to eight grants. Project periods for each award will be up to 36 months.
How to apply: Applications may be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or in hard copy by mail or hand delivery. Online submission requires registration, a process that usually takes three to five business days but can take as long as four weeks. Be sure to visit Grants.gov and begin registering well in advance of the deadline.
Resources:
Program notice
Employment and Training Administration website
View the recording of a U.S. Department of Labor webinar about this program.
