Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Notice of Funding Opportunity 2023

​This funding opportunity has closed. Visit the Funding Opportunities page to learn about current opportunities.
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Background
Pre-apprenticeship Logo.pngThis Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) sets forth the requirements for funding the Illinois Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program and the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program as specified by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA, Public Act 102-0662). These two CEJA workforce programs are intended to help accelerate the adoption of clean energy sources, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency efforts. State and federal investments in clean energy are expected to generate significant construction, installation, maintenance, and repair workforce activity in Illinois. Historically, these investments have not benefited all Illinois communities and workers. The Illinois Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program was created to address these historical inequities.

To create a qualified, diverse pipeline of workers prepared for careers in construction and building trades and clean energy jobs opportunities therein, the Illinois Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program creates a network of Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Centers throughout the State that recruit, prescreen, and provide pre-apprenticeship skills training. Upon completion, participants will be connected to and prepared to complete apprenticeship programs in the construction and building trades.

This Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program NOFO includes funding for the delivery of Energy Transition Barrier Reduction services for program participants. Barrier reduction services include funding for stipends, childcare, transportation, driver’s education fees, textbooks, tools, and more. Read the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's Press Release about this funding opportunity.

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Program Design
​The focus of the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program is to help equity eligible persons
successfully transition into U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship programs in construction and building trades. The goal is to create a network of Climate Works Hubs throughout the State that will recruit, prescreen, and provide pre-apprenticeship skills training, for which participants can attend free of charge and receive a stipend, to create a qualified, diverse pipeline of workers prepared for careers in the construction and building trades and clean energy jobs opportunities therein.

Individuals who are aged 16 or above and who are willing and able to make a career in construction and trades can enroll in the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship program. Eligible individuals for the training program are:

  • Persons whose primary residence is in an equity investment-eligible community;
  • Persons who are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system; or
  • Persons who were formerly incarcerated.

The Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program is a semi-structured program that provides grantees with flexibility in critical areas such as recruitment, instruction, transition, delivery of support services, partnership development, and more. Projects that are funded under the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program must include the program elements outlined in the NOFO.

The Climate Works Centers will also deliver Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program services to assist pre-apprentice participants in overcoming non-academic barriers to successful program participation. The main grantee may elect to deliver the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction services themselves or subcontract with another community-based organization to deliver these services.

Eligible applicants for the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program include organizations that:

  • Provide employment, skill development, or related services to communities in the proposed regions;
  • Have relationships with registered apprenticeship programs and contractor associations; and
  • Have a history of serving low-wage or low-skilled workers from economically disadvantaged communities within the proposed service region.

To deliver the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction services, applicant teams must have:
  • The ability to effectively serve diverse and underrepresented populations in the proposed region;
  • Capacity to provide supportive services and distribute barrier reduction funds;
  • Strong connections to other community-based organizations and local agencies for referrals;
  • Strong connections to and experience serving equity investment eligible communities within the service region.

Priority will be given to applicants that are a team of multiple partner organizations that collectively demonstrate an ability to deliver the required services included in the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program and the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program. Eligible applicants must demonstrate their effectiveness in serving equity investment eligible persons, engaging businesses and trade unions, and be able to meet performance targets.

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Funding Information
This grant program is utilizing state funding appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly under the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. It is anticipated that the Department will award up to $10,000,000 for the delivery of the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program and up to $6,000,000 for Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program funds associated with the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

Allowable costs must be necessary, reasonable, and allocable based on the activity or activities
contained in the scope of work.
  • Anticipated Number of Grants: 3
  • Funding Range: $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 per applicant team for Climate Works Pre-
    Apprenticeship Program administration, plus $1,000,000 to $2,500,000 per applicant team for Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program support services.
  • Anticipated Total Award: Up to $16,000,000
  • Anticipated Grant Start Date: TBD
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Submission Details
Applicants must submit a project narrative that answers the questions for the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship and Energy Transition Barrier Reduction grant as outlined in the NOFO. The project narrative must include enough information for the Department to understand the scope of the project. For detailed information about the funding opportunity and instructions on how to submit an application, see the full NOFO, as well as required documents, linked under NOFO Materials.
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Notice of Intent to Apply

​The Department requests that applicants submit a Notice of Intent to Apply (optional) by May 12, 2023 at 5:00pm: 
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/c64a3ec2e92944c99f269e2ac56d8162

The Notice of Intent to Apply should include the name of the lead applicant and the regions served.

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Award Timeline
Applications are due by July 3, 2023 at 5:00pm CT. The Department anticipates sending the Notice of State Award (NOSA) 11 to 15 weeks after the application period is closed.
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Information Sessions
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​Date
​Time
​Topic
​Registration/Resources
​April 27, 2023
​3:00pm-4:30pm
​Bidder's Conference
​May 3, 2023
​1:00pm-2:30pm
​Writing an Effective Proposal
​May 5, 2023
​10:00am-11:00am
​GATA Training
​May 9, 2023
​3:00pm-4:30pm
​Technical Assistance Workshop for First-Time Applicants
​May 16, 2023
​3:00pm-5:00pm
​Technical Assistance Zoom Office Hours
​Zoom Link (Click Here)
  • Meeting ID: 879 3554 6981
  • Password: 858888
​May 23, 2023
​9:00am-11:00am
​Technical Assistance Zoom Office Hours
Zoom Link (Click Here)
  • Meeting ID: 879 3554 6981
  • Password: 858888

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FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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NOFO Materials

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Resources
NOFO Resources:
Resources for Competitive Applications:
Resources on National Best Practices for Equitable Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Programs: