The EDD, on behalf of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA), announces the availability of up to $1.7 million from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Governor’s Discretionary Fund for the Opportunity Young Adults (OYA) Career Pathway Program Evaluation and Technical Assistance (ETA) for Program Year 2024-25 (PY 24-25) Solicitation for Proposals (SFP). The OYA ETA awardee will provide the needed support to the OYA programs that will position OYA’s with access to good-quality jobs, including jobs that pay family-sustaining wages, offer benefits, have predictable hours, opportunities for career advancement, and provide a worker voice. Also assist programs in effectively providing wrap-around support and services to increase the likelihood of program participant completion, employment outcomes, and career pathway advancement, including comprehensive case management with a trauma-informed lens. All of which will expand workforce opportunities for OYAs in accordance with the goals of the OYA Career Pathway Program PY 23-24. The OYA ETA PY 24-25 grant seeks to fund best practices to accelerate employment into good-quality jobs in health, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, and explicitly emphasizing public sector career pathways. Competitive programs will develop innovative employment strategies for the target populations by combining targeted industry sector training and education with trauma informed and tailored wrap-around services. Programs will guide OYAs into sustainable career paths with a trajectory toward upward mobility. Particular attention will be devoted to expanding registered apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities, and developing other education and training alternatives to the traditional college degree to prepare OYAs for quality employment in growing industries and provide good-quality jobs that offer living wages, benefits, and opportunities for advancement. Applicants for the OYA ETA PY 24-25 grant must be organizations with the capacity, relationships, and expertise to deliver the necessary ETA services to OYACPP awardees across the state. Proposals will be accepted from Community Colleges, Adult Education Providers, Education and Training Providers, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Non-Profit Organizations, Labor Organizations, and Workforce Intermediaries. Applicants are to submit a complete application package with all required elements to WSBSFPGrants@edd.ca.gov by 3 p.m. PST on September 10, 2024. An informational webinar will be held on August 20, 2024, at 10 a.m. PST. Pre-registration is required for all attendees. Refer to the EDD's Workforce Development Solicitation for Proposals website listed. The EDD encourages applicants to submit a Notice of Intent to apply by September 7, 2024, at noon to WSBSFPGrants@edd.ca.gov. To view the Solicitation for Proposal, visit: https://edd.ca.gov/en/jobs_and_training/WDSFP_Workforce_Development_Solicitations_for_Proposals
