The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity to eligible entities under the Illinois Job Training and Economic Development Grant Program (JTED).
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/10/2023
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The Job Training and Economic Development Grant Program (JTED) was established in 1997 to respond to workforce shortages due to a strong job market and a lack of skilled workers to fill available positions. The legislation found that “despite the large number of unemployed job seekers, many employers are having difficulty matching the skills they require with the skills of workers; a similar problem exists in industries where overall employment may not be expanding, but there is an acute need for skilled workers in particular occupations. The State of Illinois should foster local economic development by linking the job training of unemployed, disadvantaged citizens with the workforce needs of local businesses and industry. Employers often need assistance in developing training resources that will provide work opportunities for individuals that are under-represented and or have barriers to participating in the workforce.” Additionally, JTED focused on long-term unemployed individuals needing assistance to access the workforce to gain work experience and skills required to obtain family-sustaining employment
The objective of this NOFO is to address the economic impacts experienced by employers and individuals who are either under-employed, unemployed, or facing one or more barriers to employment by providing career pathway opportunities and support services needed for successful re-entry or advancement into the labor force. This NOFO prioritizes providing services to immigrants, migrants and refugees, justice-involved individuals, and rural residents.
Program Priorities
The Department requests applications that demonstrate proven approaches to offering career services, training, and placement of eligible individuals in employment or continued education. Applications will be accepted for projects that serve adults or youth. Two applications must be submitted if the applicant wishes to help both groups. Additionally, DCEO has identified priorities, including services targeted to immigrants and refugees, justice-involved individuals, and rural residents. Participant eligibility and strategies to serve the identified priorities are outlined below.
JTED program regulations require that services be provided to the “target population,” defined as unemployed, under-employed, or under-represented individuals, including youth with one or more barriers to employment. The “target populations” is further defined in the NOFO under the Program Definitions. Eligibility also requires that the individual has a low to moderate income, is an Illinois resident, and is eligible to work in Illinois at the completion of the program.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $13,000,000
- Award Range: $250000 – $750000
Targeted Industries, Occupations, and Growth Sectors
Grant Duration
The period of performance is expected to be May 1, 2024, through April 30, 2026.
Industries and occupations that will be targeted for training programs must be struggling with identifying skilled workers in the aftermath of the pandemic or must be occupations in growth sectors as specified in the Local Workforce Innovation Area (LWIA) local/region workforce plan. The governor’s 5-year economic plan identifies the state’s strongest career clusters that should be considered for this NOFO, including:
- Manufacturing,
- Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (Energy),
- Information Technology,
- Transportation, Distribution and Logistics,
- Architecture and Construction,
- Health Science,
- Hospitality and Tourism.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Entities are organizations that are eligible to apply for a grant award for this NOFO and are defined as employers, private nonprofit organizations (which may include a faith-based organization), federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) administrative entities, Community Action Agencies, industry associations, and public or private educational institutions that have demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in administering workforce development programs. Local governments that are not WIOA administrative entities are not eligible to apply.
For more information, visit DCEO.
