DES MOINES – Organizations now have until 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 10 to submit proposals to Iowa Workforce Development to receive funding to grow Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in Iowa. Iowa Workforce Development was recently awarded an additional $1 million ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to strengthen and grow Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in Iowa. The grant is focused on expanding opportunities in healthcare and advanced manufacturing, the fastest growing and largest employment sectors in the state, as well as increasing the participation of women, youth, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities.

Organizations may apply for funding in five areas: Quality Pre-Apprenticeship; High School Registered Apprenticeship; Healthcare Sector Registered Apprenticeship; Advanced Manufacturing Sector Registered Apprenticeship; and Pilot Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program.  The full Request for Proposal (RFP) and  the guidelines for submitting a proposal is available online for the following programs:

Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Programs: Recognized Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Programs may apply for a $10,000 award to focus on career pathways to create or provide on-going support of a Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program. The funds can be used for creation of curriculum, supportive services, participant support costs, outreach, and staff costs for developing and operating the program. Each Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program must have at least one Quality Pre-Apprentice or 10 percent of Quality Pre-Apprentices, whichever amount is greater, hired by a Registered Apprenticeship program by Oct. 31, 2020. Total funding available is $150,000.

High School Registered Apprenticeship Programs: High School Registered Apprenticeship Programs may apply for a $15,000 award. This award may be used to start or to support a current High School Registered Apprenticeship Program. The funds can be used for Related Training Instruction, supportive services and a Registered Apprenticeship coordinator. Total funding available is $145,000.

Healthcare Sector Registered Apprenticeship Program: This funding is to be used to grow at least 200 active Registered Apprentices in the healthcare sector. The funds can be used for Related Training Instruction, supportive services, stipends to apprentices or sponsors to incentivize retention, a Registered Apprenticeship coordinator and travel. Total funding available is $150,000.

Advanced Manufacturing Registered Sector Apprenticeship Program: This funding is to be used to grow at least 200 active Registered Apprentices in the advanced manufacturing sector. The funds can be used for Related Training Instruction, supportive services, stipends to apprentices or sponsors to incentivize retention, a Registered Apprenticeship coordinator and travel. Total funding available is $150,000.

Pilot Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program: This funding will be used to provide a pipeline of at least 200 active pre-apprentices to Registered Apprenticeship Programs with a focus on underrepresented populations. The funds can be used for creation of curriculum, supportive services, participant support costs, outreach, and staff costs for developing and operating the program. Extra points will be awarded for programs targeting healthcare and advanced manufacturing sectors and programs that have a statewide presence. Total funding available is $125,000.

Iowa Workforce Development received an initial $1.8 million ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grant received from the U.S. Department of Labor in November of 2016. The additional $1 million in funding ends on Oct. 31, 2020.