Occupational learning grants benefit youth groups, among others.
Occupational learning grants give opportunities to a wide range of individuals--from teenagers to seniors--to receive training and derive benefits that assist them in the workplace. Federal block grants provide funds for the grant programs, but the funding and decision making functions are in the hands of individual states and local authorities. Examples of these grants include programs designed for businesses, youth, adults, seniors, and minority, low-income, unemployed and underemployed groups, according to state and local needs.
Native American Grant Program
In Oklahoma, the Department of Labor provides direct grant funding for the Ponca Tribe Workforce Investment Act Native American Program. The goal of the program is to increase the rate of participation in the labor force by Native Americans. Participants in the program receive training designed to increase employment, retention and earnings. Members of federally recognized tribes are eligible to take part in the program if they are unemployed or underemployed and meet the income guidelines of the Department of Labor.
Low-income young people between the ages of 14 and 21 who encounter barriers in employment are eligible for a youth program established in 1998 that offers formula-funded grants. Funds go to state and local areas on a formula distribution basis. Youth living in areas of high-poverty or who are young offenders are eligible to receive youth discretionary grants.
Grants for Technical Colleges, Community Based Organizations
The Wisconsin Technical College System offers grant funding to technical colleges and Community Based Organizations in various categories. For example, the federally-funded Carl D. Perkins Career & Technical Education Act (Perkins IV) program provides for grants to enhance educational programs and services for the benefit of secondary and postsecondary education students. The long-range goal is to equip participating students with the academic and occupational skills necessary for employment in a technologically-proficient work environment. Complementary goals are student achievement and support for high school-to-college transitions for career and technical education students.
Youth Program Grants
Alaska's Workforce Investment Act Youth Program concentrates on training and support services for the 14 to 21 age group made possible through federally-funded grants. Academic excellence and workplace preparation are keynotes of the program. Grant awards offer a range of different activities and services to assist education and employment prospects. They include tutoring and training in study skills aimed at high school completion; the Summer Youth Employment and Training Program that directly links academic and occupational learning; occupational skills training; internships and job shadowing; and adult mentoring.
Grant Programs for Businesses, Youth, Adults, Seniors
In Arizona, the Job Training Grant Program for Businesses provides reimbursable grants to deliver job-specific customized training. Grants cover up to 75 percent of the costs of training new workers while reimbursement for training of existing employees is up to a maximum of 50 percent of costs. As of 2011, this program was suspended until further notice.
The Department of Economic Security has an Adult Program that offers intensive training to individuals who are aged 18 or older and a Youth Program for the 14 through 21 age group. The Youth Program focuses on longer-term academic and occupational learning prospects.
Unemployed, low-income individuals aged 55 and older are eligible to take part in the Senior Community Service Employment Program. The program offers part-time community service work that provides training opportunities. Participants receive assistance in finding employment at the conclusion of their training.
Tags: academic occupational, Youth Program, academic occupational learning, aged older, Based Organizations, Community Based, Community Based Organizations
