Governor's Workforce Policy Advisory Board | Energizing Careers Program/State Energy Sector Partnership

Energizing Careers Program - Request for Proposal Available June 17, 2010

Through an application process initiated by the Governor's Workforce Policy Advisory Board, the Ohio Department of Development has been awarded a $6 million State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grant from the US Department of Labor (USDOL) Employment and Training Administration. USDOL’s Notice of Availability of Funds and Solicitation for Grant Applications, which includes a program description, can be viewed at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-08-20.pdf. In the interest of developing a pipeline of qualified, skilled workers that meet employer demands and promote a robust green energy supply chain, the Ohio Department of Development, on behalf of the State of Ohio, is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit participants in its Energizing Careers Program.

The Energizing Careers Program supports original equipment manufacturers in the advanced energy manufacturing sectors of wind, solar, and biomass, as well as those industries’ equivalent of Tier One suppliers and the companies that take the final wind, solar, and biomass product to market. The Program supports customized training for improving workers’ skills in Ohio’s expanding advanced energy manufacturing sector, helping Ohio businesses remain competitive.  The Program will provide technical and financial assistance directly to employers to train their workers.

The goals of the Program are to:

  • Develop a reliable, skilled workforce for businesses planning to expand or relocate in the targeted sectors of wind, solar, and biomass;
  • Provide businesses with up to $6,000 per individual for approved training and apprenticeship programs that end with Certificates, (as defined in Section III below) for occupations within the targeted sectors; and
  • Serve workers in need of updated training related to the advanced energy industry, dislocated workers, veterans, and historically underserved populations such as women, minorities, and Appalachian residents.

Preference will be given to:

  • Businesses located in the 44 Ohio auto impacted counties (See Appendix A in the RFP);
  • Businesses that pay employees $18.00 - $25.00 per hour excluding benefits; and/or
  • Businesses that serve the worker populations listed above.

To participate in the Program, a business must:

  • Fall into one of the targeted sectors of solar, wind, and biomass;
  • Demonstrate it is an OEM or Tier One Supplier in the solar, wind, or biomass industry;
  • Invest in instruction and training activities that lead to a recognized Certificate for an individual employed by the business;
  • Complete training within one year after grant award;
  • Retain an employment level for each trainee at an hourly rate without benefits of  at least $10.88; and
  • Incur costs by training Incumbent Workers.

To be considered for funding through the Energizing Careers Program, the following application process must be completed:

1. All interested parties must submit a one-page project summary on the http://recovery.ohio.gov/opportunities/state/ website no later than 4:00 pm on July 30, 2010. (Applicants that have already submitted a summary at http://recovery.ohio.gov do not need to submit again.)  In order to submit a project summary, go to the http://recovery.ohio.gov/opportunities/state/ page, click on “Submit your Proposal” in the “How to Apply” box. When filling out the “Project Information” section of the form, choose the Federal Stimulus Program category “Energy and Environment” and the subprogram “Energizing Careers Program.”

Please note: When the project summary has been successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation page and a confirmation email.  If you do not receive these two confirmations, please resubmit.

2. A proposal must be submitted to the Ohio Department of Development. Applicants selected to receive grants under this RFP will be considered the authorized representative for the eligible project in all matters relating to any funds awarded through this RFP and will be solely responsible for all performance and reporting responsibilities associated with the award of grant funds.

3. All proposals that meet the Program goals and eligibility requirements described in this RFP will be reviewed by the Ohio Department of Development.

4. Required Proposal Procedures:

  • Complete the online one-page project summary on the http://recovery.ohio.gov website as listed above.
  • Submit one original paper copy marked as “Original” and an e-mail containing a complete, unlocked PDF file of the proposal.  Late submittals will not be considered.
  • Proposals must be received at the location specified below before the RFP closes.  Proposals may not be submitted by fax.

Proposals must be received no later than July 30, 2010, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Please mail completed RFP's to:

Ohio Department of Development

Workforce and Talent Division

Attn: Julia Hinten  

77 South High Street, 28th Floor

Columbus, OH 43215-6130

» Energizing Careers Program Request For Proposal

» Energizing Careers Program One Page Summary

» Map of Counties Impacted by Automotive-Related Restructuring

» Energizing Careers Program FAQ's

 

State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grant

The Governor’s Workforce Policy Advisory Board submitted its application for the U.S. Department of Labor’s State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grant.
» State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grant Application
» Attachment A: State Energy Sector Partnership Regional and Local Team Membership
» Attachment B: State Energy Sector Partnership Charter

» Click here for more information on the State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grant


SESP Planning Meetings

September 9, 2009
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Assembly Center West
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
» Meeting Presentation (ppt)
» SESP Committee Membership List (pdf)

September 23, 2009
State Library of Ohio, Boardroom
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Click here for directions
» Meeting Agenda (pdf)
September 30, 2009
State Library of Ohio, Boardroom
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.


Regional Team Planning Meetings

September 10, 2009
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Assembly Center East/West
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
» Meeting Presentation (ppt)
» SESP Committee Membership List (pdf)
September 29, 2009
Worthington Northwest Library, NWL Meeting Room
12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Click here for directions






The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA Services.