Seven finalists selected for Nevada’s Workforce Innovation Grants

The Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation (OWINN) announced that it has selected seven finalists from across the state for its FY 2016 Workforce Innovation Grants. The Workforce Innovation Grants leverage Governor’s reserved funding from the 2014 reauthorized federal workforce innovation and opportunity act to support organizations that are actively working to reduce employment barriers for youth, adults, and the re-entry population to grow their impact. Finalists received awards ranging from $65,000 to $150,000. The grant was opened to a wide range of organizations, including nonprofits, accredited institutions of higher education, state agencies, employers, and others. “All seven finalists showed a commitment and a record of supporting Nevadans increased access to employment, education, and training to succeed in today’s labor market, especially with some populations that are hard to serve such as young adults, individuals formerly incarcerated and dislocated adults,” said Manny Lamarre, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation. “For the FY 2016 grants, a strong emphasis was placed on programs or strategies that leveraged partnerships, but also organizations working to help individuals gain on-the-job training or credentials that make them employable and reduce dependency on social services.” The seven finalists are: Community Services Agency – Career Link Career Link serves Washoe County youth by providing job skills development and work experience opportunities through an employer wage subsidy program. Its program will support 25 out-of-school youth aged 18-21 and help them acquire education and vocational certificates. Once youth have completed their education, training, and soft skills training services they will meet with a Work Experience Specialist and complete a job development plan. Clients will also meet with an employment specialist who will help clients explore potential job sectors and identify a career pathway among the Governor’s identified employment growth sectors. Expertise Cosmetology Institute (ECI) - Women’s Cosmetology and Re-Entry Program ECI plans to reduce recidivism among women in Clark County through the provision of educational services to approximately 12 students participating in a cosmetology training and reentry program at the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center. ECI’s cosmetology and reentry program provides a career ladder beginning with licensure as a cosmetologist and moving forward with options to become a cosmetology instructor, manager, or entrepreneurs. Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (FIT) - Self-Sufficiency Empowerment FIT’s project will support training approximately 50 low-income individuals through accredited academies leading to employer-recognized-credentials in the in-demand sectors of healthcare and logistics. FIT partners with several in-demand sector employees who participate in multiple client work experiences. FIT will provide supplemental wages and the employer will provide invaluable resume building work experience and on-the-job training. Prior to entering job sector-specific education, clients complete the FIT work readiness and workforce development program. Each client gets a case manager and they communicate throughout the program developing an employment plan informed by a multitude of work readiness, aptitude, and psycho/social assessments.

Northern Nevada Literacy Council (NNLC) - From Dropouts to Standouts Program NNLC plans to leverage grant funds to reduce barriers for individuals who need access to post- secondary education and training via short-term certificate training programs for approximately 70 individuals. The coordinator will help connect graduates with employers who are existing NNLC partners looking to hire trained adults. NNLC’s Career Pathways program already prepares individuals to be successful in post-secondary education options, including apprenticeships. Ridge House - Re-Entry Career Pathways Workforce Program Ridge’s House plans to engage approximately 200 former offenders with training and employment through sector training, on-the-job training, and comprehensive supportive services to re-enter the community as law-abiding, tax-paying citizens. The framework is intended to connect education and workforce services offered within correctional facilities seamlessly to those offered in the community. During job training, partners will be reimbursed 50% of wages to clients for 3 months with the expectation that the individual will be hired full time upon conclusion of OJT. Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) - Certified Nursing Assistant Program for English Language Learners (ELLs) TMCC’s program will implement a pilot project involving two cohorts of 30 ELL students selected from the advanced level of Adult Basic Education classes to enroll in TMCC’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. Selected students will participate in an ELL/Health Science bridge class and enter into the CNA program. Northern Nevada Electrical Joint Apprentice and Training Committee (NNEJATC) – Pre-Apprentice Boot Camp NNEJATC plans to support 12 out-of-school youth qualify for apprenticeship programs. Boot Camp services will include an analysis of participants’ deficiencies in core subject areas and individualized instruction. Training will involve 220 classroom hours that will increase mathematic knowledge, reading comprehension, basic electrical-industry standards, and job readiness skills. Individuals will then participate in 80 hours of paid on-the-job training. In addition, career exploration and academic advising will give participants the preparation and confidence they need to enter a registered apprenticeship program. “I’m encouraged by the work of these organizations, but I’m even more excited for the nearly 400 individuals who will be engaged during the process to get on a stronger path to meaningful training and employment” said Lamarre. “The contracts with the organizations became final after they were approved at the April Board of Examiners’ meeting.”