JTED provides an opportunity to provide innovative, employer-driven training approaches that pair education and occupational training with work-based learning to support regional and local economic development for businesses and individuals most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, a key feature is the flexible funding available for individuals with emergency costs for basic needs.
Through the JTED program, DCEO will connect the unemployed, underemployed, and underrepresented with employers needing a skilled workforce or upskill their existing workers by providing funding for accessible equity-driven services to those in disadvantaged communities.
Who can apply for funding:
First-time applicants and entities represented in underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Eligible entities must demonstrate expertise and effectiveness in administering workforce development programs. These include:
- Private nonprofit organizations (which may consist of a faith-based organization),
- Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) administrative entities,
- Community Action Agencies,
- Industry associations, and
- Public or private educational institutions.
Who will the funding serve:
JTED program regulations require that services be provided to the "target population," described as unemployed, under-employed, or under-represented individuals, including youth with one or more barriers to employment and defined below. Additionally, DCEO has identified priorities, including services targeted to immigrants and refugees, justice-involved individuals, and rural residents.
- Unemployed – individuals who are without a job and available to work.
- Underemployed - individuals including those working part-time who are experiencing barriers to employment (particularly those facing layoffs or other negative impacts due to pandemic)
- Underrepresented – individuals from disproportionately impacted areas, including a qualified census tract and experience one or more barriers to employment. Individuals who are long-term unemployed, meaning those "who have been unemployed for at least twelve (12) of the last twenty-six (26) weeks" are also included as under-represented.
What Target Industries are the Priority?
Industries and occupations that will be targeted for training programs must be struggling with identifying skilled workers in the aftermath of the pandemic or must be occupations in growth sectors as specified in the Local Workforce Innovation Area (LWIA). Consideration should be given to the sectors identified in the governor's 5-year economic which includes: manufacturing, agriculture, food and natural resources (energy), information technology, transportation, distribution and logistics, architecture and construction, health science, hospitality and tourism healthcare, arts and entertainment, waste management, retail, these funds will also place a priority on small and medium-sized minority-owned companies.
What is the Service Delivery Model?
Two categories will guide service delivery under the JTED Program. The approach used must be based on what best serves the employers' and industry sectors' needs and provides equitable-driven services to the target population. Additionally, programs must consider the experience of people identified in the priority population, as well as how it will increase access, enrollment, and completion.
- Category 1 – Adult Focus
- Provides occupational training along with work-based learning to individuals who need self-sustaining employment.
- Upskills employees to address the negative economic impact post COVID-19 by connecting employers to individuals meeting the definition of underemployed, underrepresented, and dislocated workers. Incumbent workers can be served if the employer identifies the specific skillsets needed for entry-level positions or those needed to advance participants' careers.
- Training strategies must be based on the individual's assessment and be part of a career pathway for demand occupations in the targeted industries and result in participants earning measurable skill gains, stackable certification, or credentials.
- Category 2 – Youth
- Offers career development opportunities and work-based learning (e.g., pre-apprentice and apprenticeship) for youth ages 16-24 with one or more barriers to education, training, and employment.
- Involve educators and business leaders to develop a mix of academic, employability (including digital skills and digital financial literacy), and technical skills through contextualized instruction.
Barrier reduction services is strongly recommended to be incorporated in the service delivery module to increases family stability and job retention by covering accumulated emergency costs for basic needs.
Entities can apply for an adult and youth program, but an application must be submitted for both. If award both categories the applicant will have to administer two grants.
