FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct.25, 2012) The Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (KWIB) is accepting proposals for Quick Start Industry Partnership Grants ranging up to $25,000 each. These grants are designed to encourage Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs), local employers and system stakeholders to plan for the expansion and/or start-up of industry-led, sector-focused and business-driven partnership projects. The deadline to submit proposals is Nov. 28.
“By investing in the needs of the LWIBs and their work toward achieving statewide or regional sector goals, these funds can help produce the talent pipeline for tomorrow’s jobs in Kentucky,” said Beth Brinly, commissioner of the Department of Workforce Investment in the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. “This funding opportunity is intended to support local customization of a planning project to assist communities with industry partnerships, current or prospective, to further the development of an existing industry sector.”
These planning grants, totaling more than $287,000, will be awarded to LWIBs and/or their partnerships. The LWIB will serve as the grant applicant and as the administrative and fiscal partner for the sector partnership. Quick Start Grants will be evaluated on merit and are not limited in number per local board/collaborative of LWIBs or regions.
Industry partnership applications must specify a state or regional targeted sector.
The sectors, as detailed in the strategic plans WORKSmart Kentucky and Kentucky’s Unbridled Future, include: automobile, aircraft, advanced and/or sustainable manufacturing; transportation, distribution and logistics; business services and research and development; health care /social assistance; energy creation and transmission; and technology – life sciences and data centers.
Kentucky’s regional sectors as identified by local workforce investment areas and other related sector details are listed on the KWIB website at www.kwib.ky.gov.
This request for proposals represents the third round of KWIB planning grant opportunities for industry partnerships. Projects are currently underway by the eight successful recipients from the first two rounds awarded in December 2011 and August 2012 and represent advanced manufacturing, healthcare and energy.
The long-term goal of industry partnerships is to create an infrastructure that will provide employer-led training and education that enhances the skills of incumbent workers and develop career pathways for the emerging workforce.
For a copy of the Quick Start Grants RFP, guidelines and information, visit www.kwib.ky.gov or contact Pat Dudgeon at 1-502-782-3032 or [email protected].
To contact a Local Workforce Investment Area directly, click here to download list of areas and contact information.
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