The Kentucky Department of Workforce Investment is now accepting proposals for Industry Partnership Grants ranging up to $50,000 each. These grants are designed to encourage Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs), local employers and system stakeholders to plan for the expansion and/or start-up of industry-led, sector-focused and business-driven partnership projects.
The deadline to submit proposals is Nov. 7, 2014.
“We are pleased to offer another round of funding to support regional industry partnerships. Developing and enhancing these partnerships across the Commonwealth is key to our efforts to build the talent pipeline and increase prosperity for Kentucky citizens and businesses,” said Beth Brinly, commissioner of the Department of Workforce Investment in the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
“We have made great progress in our efforts to identify promising growth sectors and improve the skills of new and current workers there. This funding opportunity will enable us to build on that progress and increase training opportunities statewide,” added Brinly.
These partnership-development, enhancement and training grants, totaling $300,000, will be awarded to LWIBs and/or their partnerships. Two kinds of grants are available: support/enhancement grants to create new or expand the capacity of existing partnerships, and training grants to provide direct support of skill development efforts prioritized by the partnership. Grants will be evaluated on merit and are not limited in number per local board/collaborative of LWIBs or regions.
Industry partnership applications must specify a state or regional targeted sector. The state sectors, as detailed in the strategic plans WORKSmart Kentucky and Kentucky’s Unbridled Future, are: automobile, aircraft, advanced and/or sustainable manufacturing; transportation, distribution and logistics; business services and research and development; health care /social assistance; energy creation and transmission; and technology – life sciences and data centers.
Kentucky’s regional sectors as identified by local workforce investment areas and other related sector details are listed on the KWIB website at: http://www.kwib.ky.gov
This request for proposals represents the fourth round of grant opportunities for industry partnerships. Projects by the previous successful recipients from the first three rounds represent advanced manufacturing, healthcare and energy.
The long-term goal of industry partnerships is to create an infrastructure that will provide employer-led training and education that enhances the skills of incumbent workers and develop career pathways for the emerging workforce.
Story provided by Kentucky's Education and Workforce Development Cabinet
