Last month, Workforce Matters hosted an end-of-year workforce policy briefing with staff from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to receive updates on ETA’s most recent investments about which philanthropic partners may want to inform their grantees and community partners.
Highlights from the conversation are included below. We encourage interested members to access the recording and resources shared in the conversation on our website at https://workforce-matters.org/resources-library/
Infrastructure Learning Community
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is convening an Infrastructure Learning Community (ILC) to support the implementation of workforce investments from recent legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS Act, and Inflation Reduction Act. The ILC aims to be a centralized hub of resources, a collaborative environment for funding recipients to share best practices, and a forum to deliver technical assistance on preparing the workforce system for jobs created by these investments. It will focus on realizing the full breadth of opportunities beyond just construction jobs, such as support functions and care economy jobs. The ILC is a partnership between ETA, technical assistance contractors, and existing DOL grantees to ensure good outcomes for workers, families, and communities.
New Grants and Initiatives
ETA staff reviewed recent grants awarded in Q4 of 2024 and the scope of grants administered by the Department of Labor and authorized by WIOA (including in the proposed legislation), emphasizing their long-term nature and focus on marginalized communities. Grants highlighted included: Pathway Home, Growth Opportunities, Workforce Pathways for Youth, and Senior Community Service Employment Program; Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC); Critical Sectors Job Training; Building Pathways to Infrastructure; and YouthBuild grants. Staff encouraged funders and partners to look at Grants.gov for the upcoming release of the Strengthening Community Colleges and Pathway Home grants, as well as the new Cybersecurity Upskilling Initiative grant. Finally, staff highlighted the Next Level Now Technical Assistance Collaborative contracting opportunity that is open through February 4, 2025, and encouraged funders to help get the word out to identify a good TA contractor.
2024 Sector Strategies Framework
ETA staff shared updates to the Sector Strategies Framework, which was informed by listening sessions with state and local workforce development leaders and policy experts. The new framework aims to clarify terms, provide a clear vision or value proposition, enhance the connection between sector strategies and career pathways, incorporate data and worker voice, and address sustainability and industry engagement. The new framework includes an implementation guide and self-assessment tool.
Apprenticeship Investment Strategy
The Biden-Harris administration invested over $730 million in registered apprenticeships. These investments included dedicated formula funds for states and competitive funds for organizations, nonprofits, and employers. The administration has also invested in supporting industry intermediaries in apprenticeship and modernizing apprenticeship systems.
Staff reported that over a million apprentices have started apprenticeship programs over the last four years, including over 50% of apprentices in non-traditional occupations, such as teacher apprenticeships, which have expanded to 46 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. A significant number of apprentices have also come from underserved communities. Looking forward, National Apprenticeship Week will now be held in April to align with the graduation season, as suggested by community partners.
In 2025, Workforce Matters will continue to provide opportunities for funders to participate in workforce policy briefings. To sign up for our policy interest list (as well as other topical interest groups), please visit https://workforce-matters.org/get-involved/affinity-groups/
