U.S. Economic Development Administration announces another round of funding for the “Good Jobs Challenge”
The funding is targeted at jobs that advance industries critical to U.S. economic competitiveness and the competitiveness of the applicant’s region.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced on Monday a new phase of funding for the “Good Jobs Challenge.” This funding opportunity builds on the success of the first round of awards, funded by the American Rescue Plan, and this round will invest $25 million into high-quality, locally-led workforce training programs that lead to good jobs.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) the Department announced will support sectoral partnerships that bring together diverse stakeholders including employers, labor unions, educational institutions, training organizations, community-based organizations, and others to develop high-quality training programs that lead directly to a good job. EDA anticipates making five to eight awards ranging from $1 million to $8 million, which are anticipated to be announced in winter 2024.
The FY 2024 “Good Jobs Challenge” NOFO is targeted at jobs that advance industries critical to U.S. economic competitiveness and the competitiveness of the applicant’s region, including jobs that do not require a four-year college degree. Applicants must implement training for jobs that advance key technology focus areas as established by the “CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.” Those are advanced energy, biotechnology, robotics, and semiconductors. EDA will prioritize applicants that include worker voice through partnerships with labor unions or worker-serving organizations, support for workers at all levels of certification and degree status, and prioritize workers that are adversely impacted by changes in technology.
In the first round of funding announced in August 2022 (see teknovation.biz article here), two Memphis-based organizations were the only Tennessee awardees among 32 selected.
The deadline to apply is 4:59 p.m. EDT on September 27, 2024.
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