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New Opportunity to Scale Community and Technical College Programs That Connect Learners to Paid Work-Based Learning and Quality Jobs

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November 14, 2024

At a glance

JFF is excited to invite community and technical colleges to apply for $300,000 grants to expand and scale effective programs that connect learners to paid work-based learning and quality jobs! Apply by January 17, 2025.

Practices & Centers

Project ACCESS: Accelerating Career Connections and Employment Success Strategies

Program Overview

Jobs for the Future (JFF), with support from the PwC Foundation, is creating and supporting a cohort of 10 exemplary community and technical colleges in accelerating innovative programs that effectively connect learners—especially those facing systemic barriers, such as learners who identify as Black or Latine, women of all backgrounds, learners from low-income households and first-generation postsecondary education students—with paid work-based learning opportunities and quality jobs. Through direct funding from the PwC Foundation and technical assistance from JFF, JFF and the cohort institutions will identify, strengthen, and scale existing programs aligned with a variety of strategies, including apprenticeship and work-based learning, career navigation services and supports, short-term credentials, and other approaches that can lead to labor market opportunity.

Each college that is selected for this opportunity will receive $300,000 over a two-year period. Colleges will be expected to utilize these funds to strengthen, expand, and scale effective programming that connects community and technical college learners facing systemic barriers to economic advancement to paid work-based learning experiences and/or quality jobs.

This initiative is more than just a funding opportunity—it’s a chance to be at the forefront of driving systemic change in education and workforce development. By accelerating innovative practices that connect learners to paid work-based learning opportunities and quality jobs, we aim to disrupt occupational inequities and increase economic advancement for those facing barriers.

Our goal is to:

  • Expand and scale successful programs that have demonstrated impact
  • Enhance data collection and analysis to drive continuous improvement
  • Strengthen relationships between colleges and employers
  • Share leading practices across a national network of innovative institutions

By participating in this initiative, your college has the power to not only transform the lives of your students but also to contribute to a national movement toward more equitable and effective workforce and education strategies.

What We Offer

Selected colleges will receive a comprehensive package of support designed to accelerate and amplify their impact:

  • Passthrough Funding Support: $300,000 (award in two installments over two years) to strengthen, expand, and scale effective programs, including research and evaluation support.
  • Expert Technical Assistance: Ongoing coaching and technical assistance from JFF subject matter experts.
  • Peer Learning Community: Engagement in a vibrant community of practice (CoP) with other innovative colleges across the country.
  • National Recognition: Opportunity to be featured in thought leadership and national convenings.

RFP Timeline

  • November 14, 2024: Request for proposals issued
  • January 17, 2025: College proposals due
  • Early March 2025: Notice of intent to award issued

Award Timeline

  • April 2025: Project begins
  • June 30, 2027: Project ends

Eligibility Criteria

  • Participating colleges are a public community or technical college, which may include community colleges offering baccalaureate programs.
  • Participating colleges have a pre-existing program with strong evidence of the effectiveness of connecting learners to paid work-based learning opportunities and/or jobs that meet one or more components of quality jobs.
  • Participating colleges have at least 100-150 students already enrolled in this program annually (this may include across multiple campuses).
  • Participating colleges demonstrate that their program serves or aims to serve representative groups of students, including learners facing systemic barriers, such as learners who identify as Black or Latine, women of all backgrounds, learners from low-income households, and first-generation postsecondary education students.
  • Participating programs have the capacity or willingness to build capacity for robust data collection and programmatic evaluation.

Expectations of Participating Colleges

Commitment to:

  • Inclusive opportunity and equity
  • Outcomes and impact
  • Partnerships (e.g., with employers and other community organizations)
  • Research and evaluation
  • Technical assistance and coaching participation

Learn More and Apply

  • Review eligibility criteria and expectations above
  • Download and review the request for proposals (RFP) and proposal template
  • Register for an information session to learn more
  • Submit your proposal by January 17, 2025

Submission Instructions

  1. Review the Project ACCESS Request for Proposals carefully.
  2. Download and fill out a copy of the Project ACCESS College Proposal Template.
  3. Prepare additional attachments: Two letters of support:
    • A letter of support from your college president
    • A letter of support from a critical partner, which could include an employer
  4. When ready, submit the materials as attachments by January 17, 2025, to projectaccess@jff.org.
  5. See Project ACCESS College Proposal Template for additional details.

Deadline

January 17, 2025

Questions?

Contact projectaccess@jff.org

Application Tips

  • Attend a virtual information session (see right)
  • Draft responses offline
  • Gather supporting materials in advance
  • Review thoroughly before submitting
  • Submit early to avoid technical issues

Virtual Information Sessions

Join an upcoming session to learn more about the RFP process, hear about the goals of the initiative, and ask questions.

  • November 20, 2024, 3-4 p.m. ET
  • December 10, 2024, 2-3 p.m. ET
  • January 8, 2025, 12-1 p.m. ET
REGISTER FOR AN INFORMATION SESSION

 

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]

What types of programs are eligible?

Eligible programs include those focused on apprenticeship, work-based learning, career navigation services and supports, short-term credentials, and other approaches that can lead to labor market opportunities. We are particularly interested in programs that have shown success in connecting students to quality jobs.

How can the funding be used?

Detailed budget guidelines are provided in the RFP and proposal template.

What technical assistance will be provided?

JFF will provide comprehensive support tailored to each college’s needs, including strategic planning, employer engagement guidance, data collection support, equity-centered program design coaching, and sustainability planning assistance.

What are the data collection requirements?

Colleges will be expected to collect and report data on program applicants, participants, and completers bi-annually. This includes administrative data, student surveys, and employment outcomes. JFF will work with each college to enhance their data collection capabilities as needed.

What are the evaluation criteria for applications?

Applications will be assessed based on demonstrated success, scalability potential, equity focus, data capabilities, strategic alignment with institutional goals and workforce needs, strength of partnerships (such as with employers and community organizations), and innovative approaches to connecting students with paid work-based learning and/or quality jobs. For detailed criteria, please refer to the RFP and proposal template.

Questions? Contact Us

  • For questions about the Project ACCESS Request for Proposals or to discuss your institution’s fit for this opportunity, please contact: Ginger Avila, Director, JFF; gavila@jff.org
  • For questions related to logistics surrounding the proposal or information sessions, please contact projectaccess@jff.org.

About the PwC Foundation

The PwC Foundation supports the academic and career success of historically underrecognized students. Through strategic investments in solutions that scale career readiness at postsecondary institutions, the PwC Foundation is helping empower students to overcome challenges, persist through their studies, and pursue choice-filled lives.

To help address the opportunity and employment gap, the PwC U.S. firm committed $125 million to support a more equitable future for 25,000 Black and Latino/Hispanic college students to prepare for and begin their careers. Focusing on students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and community colleges, PwC is providing access to high-demand digital and career readiness training and upskilling, mentorship, and pathways toward the start of their careers.