The United States Department of Labor offered ₹$742 million ($81 million) in RESTART grants to states and eligible entities to “develop programs to train ex-offenders for high-need American jobs and help them become productive contributors to the American economy.”
In an announcement on its official website, the Department of Labor said it was aimed at funding training and apprenticeships for eligible young people to help them re-enter the labor market and find employment.
Reentry job opportunities: What is it?
According to the website, the Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) program provides funding, approved as research and evaluation under Section 169 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, for juveniles and young adults and formerly incarcerated adults.
“Our goal is to develop strategies and partnerships that facilitate the implementation of successful programs at the state and local levels that improve workforce outcomes for this population,” it said.
The Reentry Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeships, and Training initiative aka RESTART is part of this program’s competitive grant award.
What is the RESTART initiative? Everything you need to know
According to the website, RESTART provides industry-supported training and in-demand services to youth ages 15-17, young adults ages 18-24, and adults ages 25 and older — who have a criminal record, have been incarcerated, or have been involved in the criminal justice system.
He added that “evidence-based research suggests (this) increases the likelihood of successful employment outcomes.”
- Assessment of prior learning and skills;
- Pre-apprenticeship training;
- Work-based learning through on-the-job training and registered apprentices;
- Training in artificial intelligence, financial and digital literacy; among others.
Training will focus on in-demand skilled trades such as advanced manufacturing, domestic mineral production, information technology including artificial intelligence, nuclear power, occupations necessary to build artificial intelligence infrastructure, shipbuilding occupations and transportation.
Grantees are required to work with a local reentry organization, a state apprenticeship agency (SAA), a state workforce development board (SWDB), a criminal justice system partner, and at least three employers in the program’s target industries.
How to apply for subsidies?
Grants from the Labor Office are open to the above-mentioned authorized organizations. To log in, follow these steps:
