PY24 Apprenticeship Illinois Expansion Grant

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Overview​
DCEO Apprenticeship Illinois Logos

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), as of March 2024, Illinois has approximately 424 Registered Apprenticeship programs with approximately 20,474 apprentices.

WIOA Notice No. 23-NOT-03 provides Local Workforce Innovation Boards (LWIBs) ​information on ​ the availability of Statewide Apprenticeship Illinois Expansion funding to:
  1. ​​​​​​​​Embed the apprenticeship “navigator” functions within the business services team (BST) and appoint a person as the point of contact and apprenticeship specialist for their area/region.
  2. Create regional industry sector partnerships and/or employer collaboratives that engage businesses and develop new strategies for communicating the value of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and workforce diversity to employers while proactively creating equity strategies that lead to historically underrepresented communities and underserved populations entering and succeeding in registered apprenticeship programs.

The State of Illinois Program Year 2024 Apprenticeship Expansion Plan focused on expanding RAPs to build on existing systems and strategies and​ fulfill the vision of embedding an apprenticeship ecosystem at the state, regional, and local levels. Illinois must build statewide capacity to increase the number and quality of RAPS through stronger alignment with the education and workforce systems. For SAEF round 2, the USDOL has emphasized workforce and education alignment, especially CTE.
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Program Background​
​The USDOL issued Funding Opportunity Announcement 24-03 that outlines $50 million in formula grants for States to expand registered apprenticeships. USDOL provides the formula funding to increase the State’s ability to serve, improve, and strategically expand the national apprenticeship system. This funding opportunity is the second of an anticipated five-year program. Illinois’ share of the formula funding for PY2024 is $1,689,825, with an expected performance period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The continuation of funding is subject to the discretion of USDOL and contingent upon the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the State’s projects, and adequate stewardship of federal funds. The issuance of grants under this notice is contingent on Illinois receiving the PY2024 award from the USDOL.
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Program Goals​
Statewide Apprenticeship Expansion funds will support local and regional business services teams in developing and implementing apprenticeship expansion strategies in their region and local workforce communities. Through this funding, the program activities for the local workforce areas are centered around four goals proposed by Illinois to the USDOL in FOA-ETA-24-03 to encompass the re-envisioning and evolution of the apprenticeship navigator functions embedded within the BSTs. DCEO will work with partners to achieve goals at the State and local levels (see Appendix IV​).

Grantees must work with the State to accomplish the following activities and goals:
  • Goal 1: Coordinate and Expand Services to Workers and Career Seekers
  • Goal 2: Coordinate and Expand Services to Employers
  • Goal 3: Coordinate and Expand Services to Education, Training, Workforce, and Economic Development Partners
  • Goal 4: Planning and System Development
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Materials
  • 23-NOT-03 PY24 Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Funding Notice (PD​F​)
  • 23-NOT-03 Appendices I-IV (P​DF​)
  • 23-NOT-03 Attachment A - PY24 Apprenticeship Expansion Grant Funds Application (Word​)


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Resources
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Program Funding
​The Department anticipates awarding approximately $1.5 million for the apprenticeship expansion efforts in local areas. The anticipated funding range per grant is $75,000 to $175,000 based on the activities and potential impact of the grant. LWIBs are encouraged to work with regional partners (ex., LWIBs, community colleges, and economic and workforce development partners) to streamline the management of apprenticeship expansion. Consideration will be given to the geographic distribution of awards. LWIBs must utilize funds to support apprenticeship expansion activities. Requests must be reasonable, necessary, and directly related to the purpose of this notice.
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Submission Details
  • Project Narrative
  • Integrated Business Service Team Information
  • Projected Outcomes
  • Uniform Budget
  • Budget Narrative
  • Project Implementation Plan
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. To guarantee a funding commitment by June 30, 2024, applications must be received by June 3, 2024.

Applications will be reviewed by the Office of Employment and Training based on the following criteria:
  • ​Regional and Local Needs
  • Impact of the Project
  • Geographic Distribution of Awards
  • Cost