Burns: $2.5 million in ‘Schools-to-Work’ grants available

Grants to fund partnerships between schools, employers

EBENSBURG, Feb. 15 – Local schools and employers could benefit from a $2.5 million state grant program, and state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, wants to make sure eligible organizations are aware of the opportunity.

“Yet again this is an excellent opportunity for our schools and employers to build bridges between the classroom and careers, which is critical for our region’s economic development,” Burns said. “My office has helped secure millions in grant funding for these types of workforce development programs, and I’m here to encourage eligible organizations to apply.”

Eligible applicants for the $2.5 million grant program must be any entity that is registered with the department of Labor and Industry as a pre-apprenticeship program or is connected with a registered apprenticeship program. Other eligible applicants include an entity that has an established connection with a registered apprenticeship program and is working on pre-apprenticeship registration, and which will have the full responsibility for the administration and operation of the program. The application sponsor must be partnered with at least one school in a school district, charter school, regional charter school, cyber charter school, intermediate unit or career and technical school.

Project proposals must create learning opportunities for participating students and should focus on the coordination of people and resources to help individuals on a continuous path to family-sustaining employment and career growth. The proposal must also focus on building pre-apprenticeship programs to fill current and anticipated labor market needs in the given geographical area.

The maximum award per project is $250,000, and grants will be awarded and funded based on availability of funds.

Proposals are due by 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, 2022, with contracts starting July 1, 2022, and ending Dec. 31, 2024. Find more information on L&I’s website.