For the purposes of this grant, the manufacturing sector is defined using the Bureau of Labor Statistics code NAICS 31-33. This RFP specifically focuses on manufacturing occupations within the sector, where day-to-day tasks involve the transformation of raw materials into finished goods through a series of automated and hands-on processes.  Sample occupational groups are engineering occupations, production occupations, and logistics occupations. Other occupations that support the manufacturing sector such as accountants and auditors, sales representatives, and computer user support specialists are not the focus of this RFP. Occupations that are not traditionally included in the manufacturing sector but have significant overlap in skill sets or daily tasks and can be demonstrated to have advancement or transfer opportunities into the manufacturing sector will be considered, such as HVAC and electricians.

Applications are required to demonstrate that they will target in-demand, high-quality manufacturing jobs in the region. Examples of these jobs include: machine operator, assembly and manufacturing supervisors, quality assistance and quality control technicians and inspectors. For projects that target jobs outside of the examples provided, applicants should provide labor market data demonstrating the demand for the roles and/or letters from employers documenting internal demand and specific commitments related to hosting work-based-learning and/or hiring program graduates.

1. Alignment to goals and priorities: Applicants must clearly explain how their project will meet the stated goals and priorities, and contribute to the intended impact of this grant opportunity.
   
   
2. Strength of partnerships: Applicants must provide evidence of the commitment level of their partnerships. This includes, but is not limited to: letters of support detailing partner commitments, clearly defined roles and responsibilities for each partner, and any leveraged resource sharing.
   
   
3. Population-Specific Approaches: Provide a clear description of the project plan and the applicant’s capacity to meet the needs of their intended target population. This must include explicitly stating the population to be served and detailing the specific strategies and approaches to address their needs effectively, both directly or through partnership with other organizations.
   
   
4. Capacity to Implement Proposed Activities: Provide a clear description of the organization’s relevant work experience, demonstrated outcomes, and overall ability to successfully implement the proposed project plan.
   
   
5. Project Outcomes: Clearly state the expected outcomes of the project, describe how the proposed activities will directly lead to these outcomes and align with the goals of this grant opportunity, and the organization’s experience or capacity to track these outcomes.
6. Sustainability Plan: Clearly explain how the proposed project activities will be sustained, expanded, or contribute to the long-term strengthening of the manufacturing industry beyond the grant period.

1. Question: Give some examples of successful efforts, not just successful applications but successful executions.
   • Answer: Leveraging your experiences that exist around manufacturing talent development and the conversations of what has been talked about but also leveraging your own talent. The needs and competencies on the skills. What are the type of occupations that I am really looking to grow and partner with someone to help build out that competency model.
     
     
2. Question: Is funding available for planning?
   • Answer: Yes, this is a planning and action grant. We also recognize that some of this work, for example, working with local employers to outline what the competencies you’re looking for, what those skills are sets or those occupations. Planning should be connected to action and should be clearly aligned to the grant goals and priorities.
     
     
3. Question: Are there any restrictions on usage of funds? For example, would it be allowable to pay students to participate in internships?
   • Answer: Yes, we are able to pay for work experience.
     
     
4. Question: If applied for the grant and it becomes too expensive to see through or some other glitch, what happens, is it worth the investment?
   
   • Answer: Align with what is possible within the grant period, what are the outputs that you expect to see by the end of the grant period, and put some thought on sustainability. What are things that you can get to and how is that going to be catalytic and have a larger impact?
     
     
5. Question: Are there opportunities for apprenticeships that might be a little bit outside of the manufacturing sphere?
   
   • Answer: On the Stanislaus County Workforce Development website there is labor market information on how we define manufacturing. To your point if it feeds into the manufacturing industry and is part of the health and growth articulate the connection in your application.
     
     
6. Question: Is there any reporting after the grant has been received or any type of match the district would have to provide?
   • Answer: We will be providing a template for quarterly updates as well as an annual update. With respect to matching, it is not required.