Recently, the U.S. Department of Education shared a notice inviting applications for the new Pathways to STEM Apprenticeship Grants. This initiative will award competitive grants to states to support technical assistance, program development and other capacity-building activities that will strengthen the connections between secondary CTE programs and apprenticeship opportunities, and increase the number of students who enter apprenticeships during high school. The expected $3 million in available funding will be provided through Perkins National Programs. In the notice, the department argued that “the United States has made great progress in creating dual enrollment opportunities that enable students to earn college credit while they are still enrolled in high school. However, we have not been as successful in making apprenticeships—another important postsecondary option—accessible to students during high school.”
The Pathways to STEM Apprenticeship program will prioritize funding for apprenticeship initiatives that promote STEM education, with a particular focus on computer science. The department will require that projects be carried out in partnership with at least one employer and one or more postsecondary educational entities, which may include a state higher education agency or a postsecondary institution. It further requires that grantees implement competency-based, rather than time-based, apprenticeships. The deadline for submitting applications is July 17, 2018. The department will be hosting an informational webinar on June 5.
How do we apply for these grants? What is the amount per school that will be allowed? What if we missed the webinar? Thank you.
Posted by: Amber N. Florence | 06/08/2018 at 09:35 AM