Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants

Background
The Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants (SCC4) program aims to increase the capacity and responsiveness of community colleges to meet the skill development needs of employers and equitably support students in obtaining good jobs in in-demand industries. The lead applicant of an SCC Partnership must be a community college that is a public institution as defined in Section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act, and at which the associate degree is primarily the highest degree awarded. The lead may apply as a single institution or as a consortium of two or more colleges in a common labor market area.

Employers and the public workforce development system are required partners for all projects, which must also include a sector convener partner unless the lead or another partner serves in that role. Partnerships with unions or labor-management organizations are encouraged in support of good jobs. Partnerships with community-based organizations, adult education providers, and tribal entities, as relevant, are encouraged in support of equitable employment outcomes in good jobs.

Grant Details
The purpose of this grant program is to build community colleges’ capacity to meet the skill development needs of employers and equitably support students in obtaining good jobs in in-demand industries. Grantees will enhance sector-based career pathways programs using strategies rooted in evidence and designed to build further evidence on the effectiveness of sector-based career pathways programs in leading to positive employment outcomes.

The Department anticipates that enhancements funded by this grant program will ultimately benefit a broad range of current and future students at participating institutions, including dislocated workers, employed workers, and new entrants to the workforce. The SCC4 program builds on early learnings from previous rounds of SCC grants and focuses on enhancing existing or emerging sector-based career pathways programs.

The FOA outlines four core elements: Sector-Based Career Pathways Programs, Good Jobs, Equitable Employment Outcomes, Strategy Options (focused on employer engagement, comprehensive student supports, and academic and training offerings), and Sustainable Systems Change.

Eligibility Requirements
Consortium members may include community colleges and public and private, non-profit four-year institutions. Institutions that were funded in previous rounds may apply if they focus on a different industry sector than before. Employers and the public workforce development system are required partners for all projects.

Period of Performance
The closing date for receipt of applications under this Announcement is 11/14/2023. The period of performance will be determined upon award.

Grant Value
The Employment and Training Administration announces the availability of approximately $65,000,000 in grant funds authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for the fourth round of Strengthening Community Colleges (SCC4) Training Grants program.