RESTORE (Restoring Employment through Support, Training, Outreach, Recruitment, and Education)

RESTORE Grant Overview

Funder: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

Funding Source: Federal American Rescue Plan Act

Award Amount: $9,999,614 total collaboration funding; Northwood Tech received $3,815,972 as sub-recipient

Project Duration: Three years (announced December 2021)

Geographic Scope

Serving 21 counties in Wisconsin: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Iron, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, and Washburn

Project Purpose

Address critical workforce shortage in manufacturing industry by supporting collaborative, sustainable, and innovative pandemic-recovery plans developed by regional organizations.

Key Partners

• Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) - lead applicant
• Northwood Technical College
• Bloomer High School
• Osseo-Fairchild High School
• St. Croix Central High School (SCC)
• Processed Metals Innovators
• West Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (WCWWDB)

Project Goals

• Develop multi-purpose training centers and mobile labs integrated into rural regions of Wisconsin
• Create training centers for high schools and employers for manufacturing-related training
• Rebuild workforce after COVID-19 pandemic challenges
• Establish St. Croix Valley Manufacturing Outreach Center at SCC
• Create manufacturing training centers at Bloomer and Osseo-Fairchild High Schools

Target Outcomes (by December 31, 2024)

• Enroll and/or serve at least 1,200 disconnected and underserved participants (rural secondary students, unemployed/underemployed adults, incarcerated individuals)
• At least 900 participants complete industry-recognized training credentials in metal manufacturing
• At least 600 participants gain or maintain employment, advancement opportunities, and/or pay increases with regional employers

Status

First round of Workforce Innovation Grant - RESTORE completed; second round of workforce grants announced for 2022.