What Union-Sponsored Training Providers Need to Know
About the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The guide below focuses on the implications of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for union-supported occupational training programs and their training partners.

Under ARRA, the federal government has provided $4 billion to create new jobs largely through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) system over the next two years. WIA funds can be distributed through State Workforce Investment Boards, Local Workforce Investment Boards, and the state’s Governor’s 15% Discretionary Fund. In June 2009, the Department of Labor released solicitation notices for an additional $500 million in competitive green jobs grants under ARRA, with application deadlines in August, September, and October.

The Working for America Institute and its Center for Green Jobs has done an analysis of the new DOL competitive grants and is providing a series of webinars and conference calls on the grants as well. We are also ready to assist unions and their allies with technical assistance in applying for ARRA funding and to provide guidance through the application process.

To receive updates on grants and be notified about webinars and conference calls, send your contact information to Katrina Dizon at kdizon@workingforamerica.org.

The ARRA is providing unprecedented funding—which is meant to be spent quickly— to preserve and create jobs, promote economic recovery, and provide assistance to those most impacted by the economic crisis. This guide provides answers to critical questions on how union-sponsored occupational training programs might benefit from these monies and how union occupational training programs, apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs can become certified as Eligible Training Providers to receive support through the Workforce Investment Act system.

More than ever, workers want and need jobs that pay well today and that also offer them a secure future. Just as working people and their unions fought for the good jobs we have today and for the training that helped prepare both incumbent workers and job seekers for those careers, unions and their occupational training programs can provide the training and access to the good jobs of tomorrow. The ARRA is one way to ensure continued union leadership in this arena.

This guide provides answers to eight key questions through analysis and examples:

1. How does workforce development funding from ARRA get implemented?
2. Why is it in the interest of union-sponsored occupational training programs to seek and receive WIA funding?
3. How does the Workforce Investment Act funding distribution system work?
4. How do Eligible Training Providers become certified?
5. How does my training program become an Eligible Training Provider?
6. How do I determine what kind of funding to seek?
7. What are the Department of Labor green jobs training grants and what sectors are these grants designed to support?
8. Why should I consider creating partnerships in seeking ARRA funding?

For more about green jobs training grants, go to The Latest on Green Jobs Training Grants

SEE OUR GUIDE ON ENERGY TRAINING PARTNERSHIP GRANTS: Get detailed assistance on how to apply for these grants. Energy Training Partnership SGA Guide

Resources:

Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Strategies Tool Kit. 2009
http://www.workingforamerica.org/toolkit/default.asp

Training and Employment Guidance Letter NO. 14-08. March 18, 2009.
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/TEGL14-08.pdf

Training and Employment Guidance Letter NO. 2-07. July 12, 2007.
http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/tegl2007/TEGL2-07acc.pdf

High Road Partnerships Report. 2002.
http://www.workingforamerica.org/documents/HighRoadReport/highroadreport.htm