- Department of Labor announces funding opportunity for “industry intermediaries” to help develop registered apprenticeships
- Effort is concentrated on businesses that have been hard-hit by COVID-19 and haven’t traditionally used apprenticeships
- Applicants have until Oct. 18 to submit their proposal
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
The Department of Labor has announced that funding is available for organizations looking to help certain industries that were strongly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to introduce registered apprenticeships. The initiative is aimed at helping businesses that have not traditionally used apprenticeships to develop such programs to meet their needs.
The department’s Employment and Training Administration is administering requests for proposals. Questions can be submitted through 2 p.m. on Sept. 20, and solicitations will be received through 5 p.m. on Oct. 18.
- The effort is specifically targeted to serving businesses in the care economy that support people with disabilities; those involved in the generation, distribution, and transmission of electricity; key supply chains, including companies specializing in semiconductors, advanced batteries, critical minerals and strategic materials, pharmaceuticals and active ingredients, and transportation equipment manufacturing; and transportation and logistics companies related to supply chains
- Industry intermediaries are defined as organizations within an industry or sub-sector that serve as liaisons to employers in determining their skill needs, workforce trends, and opportunities to increase apprenticeships at an employer
- The push is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to support registered apprenticeships and strengthen supply chains
