Application

1. Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?
   
   

   ​Yes.

2. Is it required to submit MOUs between the all of the apprenticeship partners as part of the application, or can these be finalized early in the period of performance?
   
   

   ​As part of the application, MOUs between partners mentioned in the application must be submitted. These MOUs may be high-level agreements.

3. Is the 12 page limit single or double-spaced?
   
   
   • ​Applications must be formatted to an 8 1/2 x 11-inch page size, using 11-point type and at 100% magnification. Tables may be used to present information with a 10-point type.
   • The program narrative must be typed single-spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides. The proposal narrative is a maximum of 12 pages.
   • The entire application, including appendices, must be sequentially page numbered (hand written page numbers are acceptable). Items included in the Attachments are NOT included in the page limitations.
     
4. We are working on solidifying our partnerships with prospective organizations to participate jointly in this partnership. Will our response be rejected if we do not have this confirmed at the time of applying?
   
   

   ​Applicants are required to respond to all of the elements outlined in the Notice of Funding Award including the partnership requirement. It is not the Department's intent to disqualify or reject an application that does not have all of the programmatic components solidified, however; the grant evaluators will consider all of the application requirement including strength of partnerships as part of the competitive review as outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Eligibility

1. A training provider has numerous technology programs that fall into the categories that the Department of Commerce has listed in the NOFO. Can this grant be used to create and/or expand apprenticeship programs in multiple disciplines?
   
   

   ​Yes, as long as the focus is on creating/expanding registered apprenticeships or creating/expanding registered apprenticeship programs in Illinois.

2. Could an organization develop a new Adult Registered Apprenticeship and USDOL Recognized Pre‐Apprenticeship program?
   
   

   Full Question: ​The Notice of Funding Opportunity states that it is specifically “targeted to Adult Registered Apprenticeship and USDOL Recognized Pre‐Apprenticeship programs as defined on page 1 of this NOFO.” Does this mean that only organizations with existing Adult Registered Apprenticeship and USDOL Recognized Pre‐Apprenticeship programs can apply? Or could an organization develop a new Adult Registered Apprenticeship and USDOL Recognized Pre‐Apprenticeship program?

   Answer: The State of Illinois will award funding to support existing Registered Apprenticeship Program and Pre‐Apprenticeship programs (as defined on page 1 of the NOFO) under this funding opportunity. The State of Illinois may also award funding to support new Adult Registered Apprenticeship and Pre‐ Apprenticeship programs (as defined on page 1 of the NOFO).
   

General

1. My organization will be applying in response to the NOFO. Objective three states that there are 92 existing programs. I would like to map how many of these would benefit as part of my organization's proposal. Is there are a list that you could provide?
   
   

   ​The objective, “Expand 92 existing Registered Apprenticeship programs in 18 months” means that of the 486 active Registered Apprenticeship programs in Illinois, we would like to expand 92 of them. Illinois Registered Apprenticeship programs by occupation can be found here.

2. Page 1 of Notice of Funding Opportunity outlines the goals and objectives of the program listed below. Are all 5 objectives required in order to be considered for funding?
   
   

   ​Full Question:
   Page 1 of Notice of Funding Opportunity outlines the goals and objectives of the program listed below.  Are all 5 objectives required in order to be considered for funding?
   

   1. Create 606 new Registered Apprentices in 18 months
   2. Create 46 new Registered Apprenticeship programs in Illinois in 18 months
   3. Expand 92 existing Registered Apprenticeship programs in 18 months
   4. Provide 909 individuals with apprenticeship‐related services in 18 months
   5. Serve 478 individuals from underrepresented populations in Registered Apprenticeship

   Answer:
   The following objectives stated in the NOFO are goals for the State, set by the U.S. Department of Labor. No one program is expected to meet these objectives. Rather each program funded will help the State towards these goals.  The Department of Commerce will accept applications that focus on one or all of the objectives outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. 
   

3. What is the process for actually registering a Registered Apprenticeship program with the DOL? DOL guidance refers to State Offices of Apprenticeships, but Illinois’ office is vacant.
   
   

   ​Illinois does not have a State Apprenticeship Agency. Therefore, programs must be registered through a DOL representative. Please contact Ronda Kliman, and she will either personally help you or find a DOL representative in your area to help you:
   
   Ronda Kliman, Apprenticeship & Training Program Specialist
   United States Department of Labor
   Office of Apprenticeship, 308 W. State St., Ste. #403, Rockford, IL 61101
   Ph 815-987-4253, Fax 815-987-4214,  kliman.ronda@dol.gov
   

Training

1. Must the apprenticeship training be completed within the 12-18 months of the grant period of performance?
   
   

   ​It is not necessary that the apprenticeship training be completed within the 12-18 months of the period of performance. The funds provided through this grant must be expended by the end of the grant period that may only last for 12 months.  There may be classroom and work-based training that will continue after the grant has ended; therefore, applicants should illustrate how the training program will be sustained by the project partners.