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 in need of 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:
The funding will target marginalized job seekers residing in a low-income or underserved community (identified as a qualified census tract or disproportionately impacted area) that meet one or more of the following definitions:
- 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
What Target Industries are the Priority? JTED funding will focus on hard-hit sectors that have seen a labor shortage since the pandemic. These include but are not limited to
manufacturing, healthcare, arts and entertainment, waste management, retail, as well continuing to address worker shortages in industries like
information technology and transportation, distribution, and logistics. These funds will also place a priority on small and medium-sized minority-owned companies.
What is the Service Delivery Model?
Four 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 of color and women in the industry, as well as how it will increase access, enrollment, and completion.
- Category 1 – Job Seeker Focus
- Provides occupational training along with work-based learning to individuals who need self-sustaining employment.
- Training strategies must be part of a career pathway for demand occupations in the targeted industries and result in participants earning stackable certification or credentials.
- Category 2 – Employer Focus
- Upskills employees to address the negative economic impact of COVID-19 and/or historical inequities
- Connects employers in targeted industries impacted by COVID-19 to individuals meeting the definition of underemployed, underrepresented, and dislocated workers. This can include incumbent workers meeting the definition of underemployed or underrepresented.
- Category 3 – 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.
- Category 4 - Barrier Reduction Funding
- Increases family stability and job retention by covering accumulated emergency costs for basic needs
