When hearing the term “workforce development,” most people think of furthering their careers, learning new skills or perhaps being “voluntold” by their supervisor to participate in a training webinar. Workforce development can mean many things when it comes to the workplace, but the American Institutes for Research has defined it to “broadly encompass all postsecondary education and training plus other programs and services (like career counseling, job-search assistance, and wraparound supports) that seek to prepare workers and help them gain access to and thrive in good-paying jobs and careers.”
The American Institutes for Research went on further to say workforce development includes any effort made to align the educational system within a country with training programs to better support employer needs and ultimately link employers with experienced and talented employees who are able to be successful in their positions. While workforce development is extremely important to the expansion of most companies and organizations, it can be very costly at times. The following grant funding opportunities provide resources to bolster workforce development in various ways and present an alternative path to organizational expansion.
While workforce development seem like an overused phrase, it has a crucial role within the overall advancement of many organizations.
Safer Outcomes: Enhancing De-Escalation and Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement
The Safer Outcomes Program is a funding opportunity made available through the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Services. The DOJ has allocated $7,000,000 in funding for the program in areas of focus such as de-escalation tactics, alternative uses of force, safe encounters with individuals with disabilities and/or behavioral health issues, crisis intervention teams and referrals to community-based services and support. There are three separate solicitations that include support for law enforcement, support for expansion of regional de-escalation and curriculum integration. Eligible recipients for the law enforcement solicitation include local, state, tribal and territorial law enforcement agencies.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Workforce: Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) National Workforce Strategy is a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This funding opportunity is made available to provide WIC workforce development. The program has been allocated $10,000,000 in funding and eligible applications can include colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, federal agencies and governmental agencies.
Workforce Pathways for Youth
The Workforce Pathways for Youth program is made available through the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. The agency has earmarked approximately $40,000,000 in funding for this opportunity, which will be divided into two rounds of applications in 2024. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to further develop the alliance between schools, the workforce development system and out-of-school time (OST) programs to provide underserved youth important career-related services. The required grant activities include career exploration services and counseling, work readiness, internships (or similar learning opportunity), as well as training and job placement. Eligible applicants include national nonprofit OST organizations with 501(c)(3) status.
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The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Education and Workforce Development
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative: Education and Workforce Development funding opportunity is made available through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA is providing approximately $49 million to fund projects that align with program goals, which include supporting non-formal education that specifically cultivates food and agriculture interest in youth, workforce training at certain colleges, research and extension training for undergraduates, developmental opportunities for K-14 professionals and prospective fellowships for doctoral candidates and scholars. Eligible applicants include certain land-grant institutions, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), institutions serving the U.S. Hispanic community, individuals, Native American tribal organizations, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutes of higher education), small businesses and state-controlled institutions of high education.
Other workforce development funding opportunities include the Homeland Security National Training Program, Continuing Training Grant (CTG) program, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). The CTG grants include the Competitive Program and the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium — both of which offer the opportunity to further progress and deliver FEMA-certified training. In 2023, there was $16,000,000 in funding allocated for these opportunities. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor provides an extensive list of workforce-focused funding opportunities that include Critical Sector Job Quality grants, the National Farmworker Jobs Program Career Services and Training grants, Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) grants, and Apprenticeship Building America grants.
While workforce development seem like an overused phrase, it has a crucial role within the overall advancement of many organizations. As the American Institutes for Research said, “Workforce development policies, programs, and practices are critical to efforts to improve equity in educational and economic opportunity in America.”
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