Building the Workforce
What Recovery Act Funding is Doing to Build the Workforce
Overview
Short-term opportunities: jobs for infrastructure projects such as construction of buildings,
schools, and roads.
Mid-term: providing career training for industries where there are candidate shortages such as health care.
Long-term: Colorado is looking at jobs in new or expanding industries such as renewable energy.
Funds available: A total of $31 million will be available for all workforce investment and job training for adult, youth and dislocated workers. Job Exchange Services – $6 million (unemployment services claims). $4.6 million will go to workforce centers.
Most funds are going to existing programs, but nonprofits may be able to help with custom referral processes, training, and development of curriculum. Nonprofits will have to do some research and talk with workforce offices in their regions.
The state may be able to provide funding, possibly through contracts, for workforce skills programs for special populations.
Through national programs, $750 million is available for high demand jobs - of that $500 million is allocated for green jobs and $250 million for other programs of emphasis, such as health care. These funds will be available through a national competitive grant process.
While there is a great deal of money available for workforce initiatives, there will also be a lot of strings attached to receipt of funds. These programs require a high level of accountability from grantees and will call for transparency in operations.
All funds received through the Recovery Act programs must be expended by June 30, 2011.
Next steps:
- Talk to your regional workforce training center - and possibly with community colleges, too - about possible partnerships. In Denver, contact the Denver Employment Alliance (http://www.cndc.org/Project-DEA.html).
- This is not the time to be meek. Reach out and make appointments with regional and state representatives of these programs.
- Dont re-create your mission. Realize and stick to your area of expertise and see if that expertise fits with these new opportunities.
- Web site to check on available Recovery Act programs: www.Colorado.gov/recovery. The official document with details about workforce funds is found at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2718.
- Most regions that have funds available will have an application process for competitive grants. In Denver, current client organizations will apply through the Navigator System. When there are specific needs for service, the city will issue RFPs.
- All state RFPs issued will have strict guidelines that have to be adhered to
(including pre-application meetings, certain deadlines.) There is a statewide
contracting and BID system (Bid Information and Distribution System.) You can
get automatic notices of competitive contracts by being part of the system.
Register at
www.gssa.state.co.us/venregister.
Additional Resources
U.S. Department of Labor - Recovery Act
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment