Pittsburgh Works Quick Train for Jobs: New Destinations RFP

Transcription

1 Pittsburgh Works Quick Train for Jobs: New Destinations RFP Established by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 and reestablished by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the 3 Rivers Workforce Investment Board (3RWIB) leads the public workforce development system for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. We are a collaboration of Pittsburgh-area businesses, educators, funders, labor unions, policy makers and community-based organizations striving to bridge the gap between jobseekers and companies in need of talent. In 2013, the 3RWIB formed a public-private system of service delivery that engages more than 80 workforce development stakeholders, known as Pittsburgh Works. Through Pittsburgh Works, we deliver new solutions to systemic workforce challenges that significantly increase the number of jobseekers connected to jobs/careers at sustainable wages. Quicktrainforjobs.com was also released in 2013 as an initiative of Pittsburgh Works, connecting jobseekers with affordable, high-quality, shortterm, occupational training leading to employment. In PY , Pittsburgh Works funded 6 shortterm pre-employment training programs which are providing provided occupational skills training to over 120 individuals at an average cost of $1400 per person. All concluded trainings achieved at least 80% placement rate. Purpose: This funding is designed to deliver employer-driven training to job seekers. Successful proposals will utilize the Pittsburgh Works network or providers for recruitment of jobseekers. Challenge: Local demographic shifts in the workforce, evolving technology, and the shift away from employer-run trainings and technical education have led many regional employers to experience a growing shortage of qualified workers. And while many local employers say that the inability to find qualified workers is their biggest obstacle to growth, we see that there are currently about 55,000 unemployed residents of Allegheny County. At least 60% of the job seekers served by the public workforce development system have at least a high school diploma or post-secondary training, but lack the specific and up-to-date technical skills for high demand occupations. These job seekers are prime candidates to enter the workforce with minimal retooling. From our research, we know that the key to success in this environment is rapid upskilling through short-term pre-employment training driven by authentic business demands. 3RWIB seeks to identify collaborative initiatives that can advance our goal of connecting these job seekers to employment opportunities via high quality occupational skills training that meets the workforce needs of local employers.

2 All Aboard the Quick Train for Jobs: Pittsburgh Works is interested in funding effective business-driven training programs that prepare and place job seekers in in-demand jobs. We anticipate funding 3-5 proposals in the range of $25,000 $50,000 each, dependent upon number of individual served, credentials obtained, and target industry and occupation. Successful proposals are expected to partner with Pittsburgh Works through the PA CareerLink for recruitment of qualified trainees. Funded proposals must include at least one business or company (for profit or non-profit) with hiring need as demonstrated through an expressed commitment to interview and hire a number or percentage of participants that successfully complete the program and meet the employer s criteria. Priority will be given to partnerships that include at least two businesses and highest level priority will be given to a consortium of employers. Training may be provided in-house by company or through a partner training provider. Collaborations must identify a lead applicant who may be a business, training provider (public or private), or community based organization. Training must integrate recognized soft-skills training. Soft-skills may be embedded within the occupational skills training or offered as a standalone component provided by a partner organization using an established soft-skills curriculum. Funds will not be awarded to create a new soft-skills training program. Training Model: Short-Term Occupational Training Any selection or combination of training methods (classroom, on-the-job, on-line etc.) used to prepare and place currently unemployed workers in career employment at the self-sufficient wage of at least $14.15 per hour (click here for more information on 3RWIB s 2015 Self-Sufficiency Policy). This model must have a business or industry recognized credential attached, and preference will be given to trainings that provide participants with a transferable industry-recognized credential. Successful proposals will train individuals in high priority occupations that require less than a bachelor s degree. Trainings should align with key industry sectors identified by 3RWIB. For the purposes of this proposal, key sectors are identified as healthcare, manufacturing, finance, construction/trades, information technology, and energy. Priority will be given to high-performing trainings less than 3 months in duration, however outstanding models lasting up to 9 months with demonstrated results will be considered. Winning proposals will be offered performance-based contracts, which reimburse funds upon placement of individuals in training-related employment (upon successful completion of training). Based on previous experience, 3RWIB anticipates total payment per individual trained will be within the range of $500 - $2,500. How to Apply Proposals (maximum length of 8 pages) must be submitted by 5pm on Monday, August 31, 2015 to PittsburghWorks@trwib.org with the following information:

3 1. Cover Sheet (Cover Sheet does not count toward 10 page maximum) a. Name of lead organization b. Primary contact name, address, phone number, and address c. Current organizational budget d. Project title e. Industry sector(s) of focus f. Key partners in this project with contact names, addresses, phone numbers, and addresses. Signed MOU with each key partner must be included as attachment that clearly identifies partner role and responsibility. 2. Project Description a. Clearly describe the workforce issues and priorities your project will address with regard to the needs of both businesses and jobseekers. Provide information that demonstrates demand that will lead to employment for successfully trained program participants. Claims made without supporting data will not be accepted. Graphs, charts, diagrams, etc. should be attached to your proposal and will not count toward the maximum page limit. b. Describe the target population to be trained, including demographic information, education/skill level, required experience, and number to be served. At this time, only proposals for adult learners (over age 18) will be considered. c. Recruitment methods must be addressed through a clear description of outreach, application and screening methods done in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Works network through PA CareerLink. Successful proposals must include a signed MOU with United Labor Agency (ULA), the WIOA Title 1 Contractor within the PA CareerLink Pittsburgh/Allegheny County offices. The MOU should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of each partner in relation to recruiting and screening training participants. d. Describe the program and services proposed including objective, scope of training, summary of curriculum content, length, location, and business and/or industry recognized certifications/credentials to be awarded. e. Describe specific job placement strategies. Proposals must include examples of employer commitment and hiring projections through executed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). Simple letters of support will not be accepted. In addition, information about the types of employers, occupations, and wages for which individuals will be trained and placed into jobs should be addressed. Funding will be dispersed upon achievement of program milestones which include enrollment, credential attainment, training completion and placement. As such, it is expected that all placement activities will take place within the funded program year. f. List expected inputs: i. Number of individuals enrolled ii. Number of employer partners iii. Others g. List expected outputs: i. Number and % of participants completing training ii. Number and % receiving employer recognized certifications/ credentials iii. Others

4 h. List expected outcomes: i. Number and % placed into jobs ii. Expected hourly wages at placement iii. Number of participants hired by employer partners iv. Percent retained in job at 12 months after hire v. Others 3. Organizational Capacity a. Demonstrate how your organization is qualified to successfully implement the proposed effort through a clear description of infrastructure and governance. For bidders with any previous training experience, provide evidence of outcomes achieved in other past or ongoing programming. Relevant information must be included to support claims about past program success. Graphs, charts, diagrams, etc. should be attached to your letter of interest and do not count toward the maximum page limit (10 pages). Claims made without supporting data will not be accepted. 4. Budget a. Applicants must submit a Budget Detail Form. Any out-of-pocket expenses that the proposer expects to incur should be detailed in the form. Expense 3RWIB Other Personnel Expenses $ $ Operating Expenses $ $ Training Materials $ $ Participant Stipends $ $ Transportation $ $ Other: List Expense Category Other: List Expense Category Total Program Cost Number of Individuals to be Trained Total Cost Per Individual Trained $ $ Source of Other Funds b. Applicants must submit a Budget Narrative outlining how grant funds will be used to support and implement the program. The Budget Narrative should thoroughly and clearly describe every category of expense listed in the Budget Detail Form. The narrative should be mathematically sound and correspond with the information and figures provided in the Budget Detail Worksheet. The narrative should explain how all

5 costs were estimated and calculated and how they are relevant to the completion of the proposed project. Review and Selection Process: The maximum points any proposal can receive are 100. A review team will evaluate proposals according to the following criteria: Project Description: Applicant proposes to implement high-quality, employer-driven, shortterm, occupational training. Logic Model must be included that demonstrates clear connection between proposed activities and outputs/outcomes. Applicant clearly demonstrates business partnership in program development and implementation. Maximum: 55 points. Organizational Capacity: Applicant demonstrates capacity, required partnerships, and experience in delivering proposed training. Maximum: 30 points. Budget: This section provides detailed cost information to support the reasonableness of proposed training cost. Maximum: 15 points. Timeline: 5 p.m. August 24, 2015 Notice of intent to submit bid should be ed to PittsburghWorks@trwib.org. 5 p.m. August 31, 2015 Proposals due to 3RWIB via at PittsburghWorks@trwib.org; late submissions will not be considered. September 2015 Internal proposal review. On or about October 1, 2015 Successful bidders notified. Intent to Bid, Inquiries, Questions, and Answers Notice of intent to submit bid should be ed to PittsburghWorks@trwib.org by August 24, All questions must be submitted in writing to PittsburghWorks@trwib.org. All questions and answers will be posted to 3RWIB s website weekly at It is the bidder s responsibility to check the web page frequently to stay connected and apprised throughout the process. Questions will not be answered over the phone or in person. Questions received after 5:00 pm on August 24, 2015 will not be answered.