AGC - Oregon-Columbia Chapter: Workforce Development Grant

Building the Future of the Industry

Workforce development is one of AGC’s key strategic objectives, and we are working today to meet Oregon’s current and future construction workforce needs. Partner with us in our efforts to enhance the development and recruitment of a highly skilled, diverse construction workforce.

• High School and Post-Secondary Education and Training
• Construction Workforce Development Programming
• Educator Externship
• Construction Careers Digital Marketing
• Workforce Development Grant Program
• Facilitation of statewide Construction Workforce Coalition

The AGC Workforce Development Grant program serves to provide funding for projects that address a demonstrated need in the construction industry.

Projects will seek to:

• Encourage, attract, and retain competent and diverse people to a career in construction.
• Make effective uses of volunteers and/or matching funds.
• Create a positive impact on construction workforce issues in Oregon and Southwest Washington (Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties).

Priority Projects

AGC Oregon-Columbia recognizes the value in all construction programing, however certain types of projects are more likely to have a substantial impact on the construction industry. To this end, AGC has identified three project categories which will be prioritized for funding. Applicants are still invited to apply for funds that meet the minimum criteria outlined below, however Priority Projects have a higher likelihood of being funded.

• Project-Based Learning\- These are learning opportunities for youth and young adults that are directly linked to a construction project. Quality proposals will have aligned employer/industry partners that are following BOLI employment guidelines and create meaningful opportunities for project participants to learn through experience with the construction company/project. Adjacent sectors may be considered.
• Direct Pathways – These are projects that seek to provide direct pathways into construction careers. Upon completion of the project, grant applicants can demonstrate that a critical threshold of project participants are employed in the construction sector. This includes being accepted by a training agent in a registered apprenticeship program. Examples of direct pathway projects include (but are not limited to):
  • Pre-apprenticeship and workforce training programs that result in employment or entry into a registered apprenticeship program.
  • Linkage programs that connect unemployed qualified individuals with careers in construction.
  • Youth programs that teach viable construction skills and result in entry into an apprenticeship program or the workforce.
• Root Cause – In addition to more people entering construction careers, the industry needs to see an increase in highly-skilled, qualified individuals applying for open positions. Many applicants do not have the minimum requirements to be successful in an apprenticeship or workforce training program. Examples of root cause projects include (but are not limited to):
  • Applied learning in math, literacy, science, and other foundational skills. Projects seeking to do this will be engaging and hands-on while providing the subject competencies necessary to help participants advance themselves in a construction career.
  • Opportunities to practice crucial skills such as leadership, dependability, adaptability, and conscientiousness. Too often youth are given a list of desirable skills/attributes and then not given opportunities to practice and develop these in real-world settings.
  • Opportunities to learn skills to advance a nascent construction career. Many people enter the construction field with very basic skills that are not sufficient to advance the worker into a higher paying position. Projects that are designed to increase the skill set of workers already employed will be considered.

Funded projects average $5,000

• Consumable Materials - A maximum award of $1,500 will be given to any applicant seeking funding for consumable materials. Consumable materials are anything that cannot be used multiple times. Supplies like lumber, nails/screws/hardware, glues, other building materials, or items to be gifted are all considered consumable materials. Requests for consumable materials can be combined into other projects but should not exceed $1,500 of the award.
• Equipment -  Equipment purchases for classrooms and shop spaces are eligible for funding. Applicant must demonstrate a plan for maintenance and repair of equipment. If the equipment is to be used in a school setting, the applicant must provide documentation from school administration acknowledging that the maintenance and repair of the equipment is the responsibility of the school and committing to keeping the equipment in safe and working condition. The grant application includes a form for school building administrators to complete if the funding request is for equipment. The types of equipment purchases requiring this additional documentation includes but is not necessarily limited to: large or expensive saws, sanders, buffers, grinders, sharpeners, dust collectors, presses, lathes, milling machines, plasma tables, shears, rollers, CNC machines, compressors, joiners, planers and other significant pieces of equipment that require repair and maintenance.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• Eligible applicants must be qualified tax-exempt organizations, public schools, or institutions located within the AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter geographic boundaries of Oregon and SW Washington and offering programs of study in construction-related fields such as:
  • construction management, civil and engineering studies, construction technology, construction-related career technical education, construction trades preparation, or other construction-related careers.
• Minimum Eligibility for Proposed Projects Include the Following:
  • Promotion of academic, technical training, or professional development achievement in construction.
  • Community based non-profit organizations addressing construction industry workforce development issues and needs.
  • AGC student chapter activities.
  • Technology, equipment, and materials enhancements for construction educational programs.
  • All contributing funding sources must be identified in the project budget.

Ineligibility

• AGC Workforce Development Grants cannot be used to fund general operating expenses that include:
  • Rent or mortgage payments on physical structures
  • Maintenance and repairs for existing structures
  • Property taxes