RFA for CAI High Road Training

Announcement Notification - California Apprenticeship Initiative High Road Training Partnership Grant

HRTP Frequently Asked Questions

What is the timing of the RFA for community colleges not in an existing HRTP?

A California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI) Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) is currently planned for release in August of 2021.

Will community colleges not associated with an HRTP need to form one to participate in the CAI Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Grant Program (RFA)?

The CAI Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Grant Program RFA are for all eligible applicants and will not require affiliation with a HRTP to be eligible. The HRTP is a pilot RFA in partnership with the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB).

If there are no HRTP's in our region, are colleges eligible to apply?

The HRTP RFA is a pilot project intended to build off and leverage the work of existing HRTPs funded by the CWDB. Not all regions have existing HRTPs; regions without HRTPs are not eligible for this funding at this time.

Will there be future grant opportunities for programs in other regions to create a High Road Training Partnerships?

Yes, the FY 21-22 budget provides funding to grow HRTPs and community colleges are encouraged to participate with partners in their region in forming new HRTPs. Announcements about these funding opportunities will likely be made by the end of the year.

Are existing apprenticeship programs eligible to apply (with partners) to create a high road training partnership?

This RFA is intended for community colleges to partner with existing HRTPs. This RFA is not intended for creation of new HRTPs or for entities other than community colleges with existing HRTPs in their region. Please see Question #4 regarding future funding opportunities.

Does a state registered pre-apprenticeship program for underserved youth ages 14 to 18 quality for the CAI HRTP grant?

Eligible applicants for this RFA are as follows:

Community colleges participating in a HRTP funded by the CWDB
Community colleges with a HRTP funded by the CWDB in their region that wish to establish a partnership with the HRTP

Other entities, such as state registered pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship programs, are not eligible applicants. However, non-eligible entities may wish to contact their local community college to inquire about possible partnership opportunities as appropriate.

Would a college be eligible to pursue this grant if we focus on manufacturing pre-apprenticeships/apprenticeships, even though we already receive CAI grants for the same purpose?

Please refer to eligibility requirements highlighted in FAQ #6. Receipt of other CAI grant funding does not preclude eligibility for the CAI HRTP Grant funding.

Is it permissible for three different, geographically separated, colleges to partner with the region’s only HRTP, and for each college to be awarded $125,000 in grant funds?

It is possible that more than one college partnering with the same HRTP may receive grant funds. Each applicant will be scored according to the scoring rubric detailed in the RFA.

Per the HRTP RFA, it states, “Develop regional strategies that support workers and communities in adapting to and creating new pre-apprenticeship training programs, apprenticeship training programs, or sustained Enhanced On the Job (OJT) training programs, or other training models that are ultimately identified to meet the needs of the region.” What other program types? Non-apprenticeship training? Successful Fast Track training/placement models? Please give examples.

“Other training models” is intentionally not defined by the Chancellor’s Office. Applicants may propose other training models that meet the needs of their region, should pre-apprenticeship training programs, apprenticeship training programs, or OJT training programs provide insufficient. Should an applicant propose another type of training program, they should identify the following: the type of program, business partnerships, internship and OJT/placement models, and metrics used to determine successfulness of the program (for example, number of students, student demographics, or student placements).

Please clarify the submission date for the application – we see two dates, August 16, 2021, and September 10, 2021. The first data is from the application itself, the second from the bidder’s conference conducted by Nicolas Esquivel.

The submission date is August 16, 2021.

Can phase 1 funding be utilized to reimburse the employer partner for staff time dedicated to planning phase activities?

This is an allowable expense, and the work plan activities should justify the appropriate line item in the budget.

Can phase 1 funding be utilized to pay for modification to existing apprenticeship curriculum?

Phase 1 funding is intended to support planning phase activities consistent with the integration of a community college into a CWBD-funded HRTP. Any funded activities should be justified with the work plan and demonstrate how they relate to the expected outcomes for grantees listed in the RFA.