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Workforce Accelerator Fund 11 – Request for Applications

The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), in coordination with the Employment Development Department (EDD), are pleased to announce the availability of up to $3 million in Department of Labor, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds to replicate and scale previous successful projects that incorporate High Road principles; driving equitable recovery with quality jobs and accelerate employment and re-employment for California workers.

What is the Workforce Accelerator Fund?

In April 2014, the CWDB and EDD established the Workforce Accelerator Fund (Accelerator) as a new initiative for driving innovation in California’s workforce system.  Since April 2014, just over $43 million has been invested, resulting in over 209 projects across the state.

Traditional workforce funding streams can be rigid. The intent of the Accelerator is to allow the flexibility to bridge current gaps in the workforce system in ways that mobilize existing funding streams for greater employment impacts.

The intent is to invite previous or existing grantees to scale or replicate a current or past project in one or more of the program areas, incorporating High Road principles and potentially connecting to an existing High Road Training Partnership.

The goal of Accelerator 11 is to impact economic and racial equity by incorporating High Road principles; creating pathways to good quality jobs for workers from disadvantaged or low-income communities.  Traditional workforce and education strategies have had an inadequate impact. Even promising strategies lack the speed, agility, or scale needed to accelerate employment for workers desperately in need of good jobs. 

Funding Source Information

The Workforce Accelerator Fund is supported by the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) in coordination with the California Employment Development Department (EDD) with Department of Labor funding totaling $3,000,000. All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

It is the responsibility of the Subrecipient (the entity awarded) to become well-versed with WIOA Title 1 and the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 2 (Uniform Guidance), so that they are able to responsibly operate and manage the grant program in order to meet WIOA requirements. This will be the sole responsibility of the Subrecipient. It is highly recommended that organizational staff capacity exist prior to accepting funds in order to successfully support this work and have adequate administrative support.

It is the responsibility of the CWDB to make sure interested applicants are aware of the funding source and its requirements to ensure project and program success. To help prepare potential applicants on the expectations if awarded funds under this grant program, which are defined by WIOA Law, refer to Section 5: Administrative and Additional Requirements in the Accelerator 11 RFA.

Applying for Accelerator 11

Cal-E-Grants Resources

Below are Reference Guides for using Cal E-Grants to apply for Workforce Accelerator 11:

 

Important Dates

*NOTE: Dates for Accelerator 11 Grant Term and Award Announcement have changed.

Applications Due
Monday, October 31, 2022, 3:00 PM (Pacific)

Award Announcement
Workforce Accelerator Fund 11 Award Announcement

Grant Term
June 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024

Weekly Q & A

WAF 11 Q&A – October 25, 2022

WAF 11 Q&A – October 18, 2022

WAF 11 Q&A – October 11, 2022

WAF 11 Q&A – October 4, 2022

WAF 11 Live Session Q&A

Q & A will be posted weekly, each Tuesday, starting October 4.

Questions must be received each Thursday by 3:00 PM (PST) to be included in Tuesday’s weekly posting. Questions received after 3:00 PM on Thursday will be included in the following week’s Q & A.

The last Q & A posting will be 10/25 and questions must be received by Thursday, 10/20, 3:00 PM. Questions submitted after the deadline on 10/20 will not be included in the Q & A.

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