2017 Apprenticeship Plus Youth Program

​This funding opportunity has closed. Visit the Funding Opportunities page to learn about current opportunities.


​Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) - Background

The Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Youth created a workgroup to implement the Apprenticeship Plus Project as a mechanism to improve the economic prospects of young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who have barriers to entry apprenticeship programs. The Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) Apprenticeship Committee, the advisory body to this group, oversees the capacity-building and promotion effort in Illinois to create new and expand existing Registered Apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and industry-recognized​ credential programs.

The application due date was April 17, 2017.


Program Goals

Programs funded under this NOFO will be expected to accelerate and expand the work of the Apprenticeship Committee serving youth facing barriers in three Illinois regions: North Central Region (Peoria/Bloomington/Normal area), Southern Region (Mt. Vernon/Marion area), and Northeast Region – specifically Western and Southern Cook Townships. Apprenticeship programs meet the skilled workforce needs of an industry by connecting job seekers looking to learn new skills with employers looking for qualified workers, resulting in a workforce with industry-driven training and employers with a competitive edge. Pilot projects funded under this NOFO will support the following goals and objectives:

  • Increase the number of youth earning industry-recognized credentials and post-secondary certificates in high-growth, high-demand occupations.
  • Support and develop at least 10 new apprenticeship pilots in three Economic Development Regions of the state.
  • Develop apprenticeship pilot programs that serve disadvantaged youth, such as youth with disabilities; teen parents; youth transitioning from the juvenile justice system; youth aging out of the child and family services system; and youth with other evidence-based risk factors, who are between the ages of 16 and 24.


Program Design

This funding opportunity will award grants for youth apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship pilot projects that address priorities identified by the IWIB Apprenticeship Committee and the Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Youth.


Eligible Costs

Projects that are funded under this NOFO must be focused on Youth Apprenticeship and Pre-apprenticeship. See Attachment C of the Notice of Funding Opportunity for information on how to use the federal workforce funds to support the expansion of apprenticeships. 


Eligible Applicants

This competitive funding opportunity is limited to public and private organizations that are in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State that have the capacity to administer this program.


Archived Webinars - Watch Below

The Department of Commerce coordinated a webinar to provide organizations with information regarding the application requirements Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on February 21, 2017 at 1PM. Watch the archived recording and download the presentation below.

  • Illinois Apprenticeship Plus YOUTH Program NOFO Session (SlideShare)

A question and answer session to support applications for the Youth Apprenticeship Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), addressing questions concerning the application, partnerships, fiscal assistance, and employer engagement was provided on March 30, 2017.

  • Youth Apprenticeship NOFO Q&A Session (SlideShare)


NOFO Materials
  • ​2017 Apprenticeship Plus Youth Program NOFO Application (MS Word)
  • 2017 Apprenticeship Plus Youth Program NOFO Attachments (PDF)
  • 2017 Apprenticeship Plus Youth Program NOFO Supplement (PDF)
  • 2017 Apprenticeship Plus Youth Program Uniform Budget Template (Excel)


FAQs

 

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions