Two rounds due in July will award $12 million to “support transformative efforts to improve job quality and availability of good jobs.”

Last week the United States Department of Labor announced up to 10 awards with a ceiling of $3 million each to benefit communities that have historically faced barriers to employment in good jobs. The NOFO identifies four sectors of focus: care, climate resiliency, clean energy transition and hospitality. Labor-management partnerships that address equity and job quality while accessing worker voice are mostly likely to win this round.

DOL defines high-quality jobs as those that offer family-sustaining wages and benefits, secure scheduling, offer pathways for advancement and prioritize worker health and safety. 

The funding mechanism for these pilot grants is WIOA Dislocated Worker National Reserve Demonstration Grants. These grants will be overseen by DOL’s Employment and Training Administration. 

Eligibility is broad, with unions, workforce boards, tribal governments, inudstry assocations, community based organizations and others eligible. See the description of this grant opportunity, full eligibility rules and more on how to apply at grants.gov.

Need help with your application? We bring expertise in DOL grants, writing and editing, as well as previous experience in WIOA, workforce boards and higher education to help you build a compelling and ultimately winning application.