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Maryland Announces Third Round Funding Opportunity for Strategic Investments in Career Pathways

Workforce Funds Foster Innovative Collaborations for Adult Learners

BALTIMORE (July 2, 2019) – Acting Labor Secretary James E. Rzepkowski today announced the availability of an additional $500,000 in federal funds to local workforce entities. Over all three funding rounds, a total of $1.5 million has been available. This third round of career pathway grants will be open to Maryland’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Local Workforce Development Boards (Title I providers) and Adult Education organizations (Title II providers). These targeted funds will support areas in developing career pathways that will increase adult learners’ access to training and/or career opportunities and will expand the talent pipeline for the business community.

“Building seamless connections between workforce development and adult education providers is a top priority for the Department of Labor,” said Acting Secretary Rzepkowski. “Maryland jobseekers benefit from access to complementary educational and training opportunities by enabling them to move into attractive career pathways and earn family-sustaining wages.”

Developed by the Maryland Department of Labor, this grant program offers expanded opportunities for adult learners throughout the state. It is a part of Maryland’s implementation of WIOA, which serves both jobseekers and businesses. WIOA addresses the needs of jobseekers by establishing a workforce system that helps them access education, training, and support services to gain employment and succeed in the labor market, and employer needs by matching them to the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

This solicitation offers localities the opportunity to apply for up to $250,000 in funding to develop innovative demonstration projects with a consortium of local partners, including business partners. Two grants of this size will be awarded. Eligible applicants can utilize a menu of recommended interventions that were selected by the department after careful consideration and a review of national best practices. These interventions include:

  • Registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship,
  • Integrated education and training,
  • Integrated English literacy and civics education,
  • Transition support specialist between local workforce and adult education entities,
  • Out-of-School Youth Pathways,
  • Bridge Program,
  • English language acquisition, and
  • Distance learning.

For more information on Maryland’s workforce system or training opportunities, please visit the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning online or contact the division by e-mail.

About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We're proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow the Maryland Department of Labor on Twitter (@MD_Labor), Facebook and visit our website.

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Michael Harrison
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