The Kansas Department of Commerce is seeking applications from eligible state educational institutions (as defined by K.S.A 76-711), businesses, non-profits or workforce boards for projects that will attract and retain employees and build the state workforce through registered apprenticeship.   Applications should clearly demonstrate linkage between the project, industry demand, apprentice training and apprentice recruitment. 

An organization may submit one application.  The total program budget is up to $500,000.  The minimum award is $75,000 and up to $200,000. Applicants are required to provide a 1:1 match for every grant dollar requested. Matching dollars can include FTE costs.

July 25, 2023 – Request for Applications issued

August 25, 2023 at 5:00PM CDT – Application submissions due

Sept 1, 2023 – Earliest Notice of Award

Projects must be completed by July 30, 2024

Grant funds may be used for project needs related to technical instruction for the registered apprenticeship, OJT needs not including apprentice wages, staffing and/or FTE to implement and manage programs, marketing and outreach and other allowable activities as stated in the project proposal.

Examples include but not limited to:

• Related technical instruction tuition costs, course costs, books costs, and anything else related to technical training.  This training would need to be transcribed within the Registered Apprenticeship program to qualify.
• Marketing and outreach materials including paid media, social media, web media, printed material and more
• Contract with external apprenticeship subject matter experts to align internal systems including reporting systems, curriculum alignment, RAPIDS reporting, assessments and other reporting.
• Contract with higher education and/or external stakeholders to create crosswalks of existing curriculum in order to build pathways to a career, college degree, and/or certification.
• Administrative costs are permitted as part of this grant.
• Other project concepts will be considered on a case by case basis.

Apprenticeship Grant funds will be reimbursed on a quarterly basis.  Documentation showing expenditures will be required for each distribution.  Purchase orders, invoices, and/or proof of payment via canceled checks or bank statements can be submitted as proof of expended matching funds and awarded dollars.

Quarterly Narrative and Fiscal reports will be required by all awardees.

Total cost for RTI (per apprentice will be calculated based on total number of apprentices)

Number of Apprentices

Example Budget

Primary Contact Name, Email address, and Phone number

Organization’s Federal EIN and IRS Form W-9

Project geographic scope (regional, county, and/or state-wide)

What is your overall program plan?  How will this be integrated within business and industry to create longevity for the recruitment and retention of Kansas most high wage and high demand occupations through a Registered Apprenticeship Program. (30 pts)

RAPIDS number of the Apprenticeship Single Employer Sponsor or Multi-Employer Intermediary. If a RAPIDS number is not present at the time of application, please provide a brief description of the intention and timeframe to obtain one or to work with an existing Registered Apprenticeship Program. (10 pts)

ONET codes and a description for each planned or existing RAP occupation under this grant. (10 pts)

Proposed plan for engagement with either business and industry (potential registered sponsors) and/or potential apprentices. How do you plan to aggressively market your program and create elevated engagement? (20 pts)

Number of apprentices looking to engage, and the funding needed to support them.  Please include a cost budget that includes all aspects of your project.  The budget must have a targeted number of apprentices registered in a legitimate Registered Apprenticeship. (25 pts)

Please describe any current or recently ended Registered Apprenticeship grants (state and/or federal) your organization is a recipient of and the success of that program. (5 pts)