[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75838-75839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29682]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Notice of Availability of Funds and Funding Opportunity 
Announcement for the American Apprenticeship Initiative

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Funding Opportunity Number: FOA-ETA-15-02.

SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. 
Department of Labor, announces the availability of approximately $100 
million in grant funds authorized by Section 414(c) of the American 
Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (ACWIA), as 
amended (codified at 29 U.S.C. 2916a), for the American Apprenticeship 
Initiative.
    These grants are financed by a user fee paid by employers to hire 
foreign workers into the United States under the H-1B nonimmigrant visa 
program. This initiative is intended to provide a catalyst in 
supporting a uniquely American Apprenticeship system that meets our 
country's particular economic, industry and workforce needs. American 
Apprenticeships (also referred to as Registered Apprenticeships) are 
innovative work-based learning and post-secondary earn-and-learn models 
that meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department 
of Labor (or federally recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies). 
Grants funded by this initiative will support dynamic and sustainable 
public-private partnerships that:
    <bullet> Support the expansion of quality and innovative American 
Apprenticeship programs into high-growth occupation(s) and industry(s), 
particularly those for which employers are using H-1B visas to hire 
foreign workers, and the related activities necessary to support such 
programs (see Appendix A or visit the Foreign Labor Certification Data 
Center);
    <bullet> Create career pathways that encompass American 
Apprenticeship and align with other post-secondary educational 
offerings;
    <bullet> Use strategies to significantly increase apprenticeship 
opportunities for job seekers and workers (particularly for women and 
other underrepresented populations in apprenticeship, including young 
men and women of

[[Page 75839]]

color, people with disabilities; low-skilled populations; and veterans, 
including transitioning service members); and
    <bullet> Leverage and develop public policies that increase demand 
for American Apprenticeship and support sustainability.
    The complete FOA and any subsequent FOA amendments in connection 
with this funding opportunity are described in further detail on ETA's 
Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/ or on http://www.grants.gov. 
The Web sites provide application information, eligibility 
requirements, review and selection procedures, and other program 
requirements governing this funding opportunity.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is April 30, 2015. Applications must be received no later 
than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeannette Flowers, 200 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Room N-4716, Washington, DC 20210; Telephone: 202-693-3322. 
Sara Gallagher Williams is the Grant Officer for this FOA.

    Signed December 12, 2014 in Washington, DC.
Eric D. Luetkenhaus,
Grant Officer/Division Chief, Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-29682 Filed 12-18-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P