The State of Oregon, acting by and through its Higher Education Coordinating Commission (“HECC”), is issuing this Request for Applications (“RFA”) to award grants to eligible entities that administer workforce programs in the manufacturing sector as authorized by ORS 660.400. 

This RFA is informed by recommendations from the Future Ready Oregon Industry Consortia, which have identified industry-specific workforce needs in the state. HECC intends to make multiple awards for a total of $12 million in response to this RFA between the two focus areas described below. 

Applicants may submit Applications that propose projects in either or both focus areas. If an Applicant proposes multiple projects, the Applicant must submit individual Applications for each project. HECC will consider each project in isolation from the Applicant’s other Applications. 

PROJECT PURPOSE: MANUFACTURING PROJECT FOCUS AREAS:

Project Focus Area One:  Outreach, Career Awareness and Exploration

Outreach, career awareness, and exploration that intentionally prioritizes outreach to individuals from priority populations.

Project Focus Area Two: Earn-and-Learn Opportunities

Creating and/or expanding earn-and-learn education and training opportunities with outreach to priority populations. 

Earn-and-learn opportunities are those that provide compensation for individuals to participate in training opportunities that lead to employment. Earn-and-learn opportunities may include but are not limited to stipends, scholarships, paid tuition, tuition reimbursement, on-the-job training, paid internships, etc. 

Projects in either focus area must prioritize equitable program participation by individuals from the following priority populations identified in ORS 660.300:

(1) Communities of color;

(2) Women;

(3) Low-income communities;

(4) Rural and frontier communities;

(5) Veterans;

(6) Persons with disabilities;

(7) Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals;

(8) Members of Oregon’s nine federally recognized Indian tribes; 

(9) Individuals who disproportionately experience discrimination in employment on the basis of age; and

(10) Individuals who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

For purposes of this RFA, prioritizing program participation means providing culturally informed and relevant programming and services, as well as conducting targeted outreach and marketing.

Allowable Use of Funds:

Allowable Costs may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Providing direct benefits to individuals, which may include

      - Paid work experience, including stipends and wages,

      - Tuition and fee assistance for workforce programs, and

      - Wraparound workforce development services. Wraparound workforce development services provide supports for individuals participating in workforce programs and may include but are not limited to childcare, transportation, mental health services, housing support, job-related materials and supplies, books, tuition, and other services designed to help individuals attain employment and progress along career pathways.

(2) Creating and expanding education and training programs, including developing culturally and linguistically specific career pathways for obtaining certificates, credentials, or degrees recognized by targeted industry sectors.

(3) Expanding the capacity of organizations to provide workforce development services, including:

       - Hiring staff or contracting for services;

       - Developing strategies around workforce programs including program development

       - Purchasing equipment, technology, or other supplies;

       - Paying for administrative costs; and

       - Any other activities necessary to increase the organization’s capacity to provide workforce programs that advance economic mobility, educational attainment, and career advancement in the manufacturing sector.

The allowable cost period for awards under this RFA is July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026. Activities that occur outside of the Allowable Cost Period are not eligible for funding.

View additional information on this RFA on the Higher Education Coordinating Commission's Grants and Contracts webpage: 

https://www.oregon.gov/highered/about/Pages/grants-contracting.aspx