Southeast AlabamaWorks Local Area Workforce Development Board

Southeast AlabamaWorks! Local Workforce Development Board (SAW) are issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for the selection of program operators to provide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded Youth Workforce Development Services for program year 2019

Deadline for submission:
February 28, 2019, by 4:30 p.m. CST
Late submissions will not be accepted.

Proposals should be submitted as follows:
By Mail to:
Alabama Department of Commerce
Workforce Development Division-Youth RFP
Post Office Box 304103
Montgomery, Alabama 36130-4103

Hand Deliver to:
Alabama Department of Commerce
Workforce Development Division
401 Adams Avenue, Suite 390
Montgomery AL 36104
Telephone (334) 242-5300

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law on July 22, 2014, and supersedes the Workforce Investment Act. It promotes program coordination and alignment of key employment, education and training programs at the Federal, State, regional and local level. WIOA was designed to provide workforce investment activities to increase employment, retention and earnings, and the attainment of nationally recognized and/or postsecondary credentials. Through these activities, the quality of the workforce will improve, economic self-sufficiency will increase, and workers will meet the skill requirements of employers and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of our nation.

Serving youth is a priority with WIOA and the Governor’s Local Workforce Areas. WIOA requires that at least 75 percent of available funds be spent on workforce investment services for out-of-school youth. The law also requires 20 percent of youth funds be spent on paid and unpaid work experiences that incorporate academic and occupational education for youth. These work experiences can include summer and year-round employment opportunities, job shadowing, pre-apprenticeship training, internships, and on-the-job training. Southeast AlabamaWorks! Local Workforce Development Area (SAW) youth programs will focus on providing academic and occupational skills training to out-of-school and in-school youth who have limited skills, little or no work experience and other barriers to economic success. It is essential for the southeast Alabama region to encourage and support these youth in obtaining the education and skills needed to not only succeed in the labor market but to have a long and prosperous career. The goal for programs under this RFP is to help youth in the SAW local area attain the education and employability skills that are necessary to get a job, keep their job and advance in their chosen career pathway.

Alabama Department of Commerce’s (ADC) Workforce Development Division, Governor’s Local Workforce Areas (GLWA) and the Southeast AlabamaWorks! Local Workforce Development Board is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for occupational youth services programs to serve out-of-school youth ages 16 – 24 (with barriers to employment as identified by WIOA) and in-school youth ages 16 – 21. Special consideration will be given to youth programs that provide linkages to Pre-Apprentice or Registered Apprenticeship programs.

Pre-apprenticeship programs are defined as programs designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship program and has a documented partnership with at least one, if not more Registered Apprenticeship program(s) and leads to an industry issued, a nationally recognized credential that validates proficiency in an occupation.

The Alabama Department of Commerce/WDD and GLWA serve as the administrative entity for activities pursuant to the workforce development programs funded and regulated under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA). The ADC/WDD in accordance with the provisions of WIOA Title I-B is a nondiscrimination/equal opportunity program. The SAW Board is comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors as prescribed in WIOA and is responsible for setting policy and overseeing WIOA funded activities in the SAW.

SAW youth programs will focus on educational attainment, work-based training opportunities and training linked to careers aligned with the skills needs of industries in their area. Proposals should connect academic and occupational skills training for the following in-demand industry sectors: healthcare, manufacturing, distribution, automotive and information technology that lead to industry-recognized credentials. Proposals should target the industry sectors 2 represented in their local service/target area and be documented in the proposal. Other industry sector opportunities must be supported by relevant labor market information. Each industry contains several career pathways in which a youth may enter an occupation and be able to advance within that specific occupation or occupational cluster. Successful employment in these industries will lead to self-sufficiency. Proposals that target the industry sectors listed above will receive additional points in the evaluation process.

Special considerations will also be provided to proposals that serve counties that currently do not have WIOA Youth Programs: Barbour, Butler, Crenshaw, Henry, and Pike.

Proposals for WIOA eligible out-of-school youth, ages 16-24, with a defined barrier or proposals for in-school youth, ages 16-21, should be designed to incorporate the following services:

• Assistance in obtaining a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (GED).
• Work Readiness/Employability Skills training to include:
  • Appearance/Dress
  • Attitude and Body Language
  • Attendance and Punctuality
  • Communication and Following Instructions
  • Dependability/ Responsibility
  • Time Management
  • Decision Making and Problem Solving
  • Leadership and Motivation
  • Financial Knowledge and Management
• Strong linkages between academic instruction and occupational education that lead to recognized postsecondary and/or industry-recognized credentials and are aligned with in-demand industries and occupations in the region.
• Exposure to employment opportunities through activities such as job shadowing, internships and pre-apprenticeship programs by connecting with employers, apprenticeship programs and in-demand industry sectors and occupations available in the local and regional labor markets.
• Work-based training that gives the youth a chance to earn income while receiving training and developing skills best learned on the job.
• Reflect recognized youth development principles that emphasize the cognitive, social, and behavioral competencies that help youth succeed.
• Proposed services are personalized and focus on developing the individual strengths and interests of each youth.

Southeast AlabamaWorks! Local Workforce Development Board (SAW) are issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for short-term (26 weeks or less) standalone occupational skills training programs for adults and dislocated workers under WIOA.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law on July 22, 2014. It promotes program coordination and alignment of key employment, education and training programs at the Federal, State, regional and local level.

WIOA was designed to provide workforce investment activities to increase employment, retention and earnings, and the attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials. Through these activities, the quality of the workforce will improve, economic self-sufficiency will increase, and workers will meet the skill requirements of employers and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of our nation.

Alabama Department of Commerce’s (ADC) Workforce Development Division, Governor’s Local Workforce Areas (GLWA) and the Southeast AlabamaWorks! Local Workforce Development Board (SAW) are issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for short-term (26 weeks or less) standalone occupational skills training programs for adults and dislocated workers under WIOA.

The United States Department of Labor defines occupational skills training as an organized program of study that provides specific vocational skills that lead to proficiency in performing actual tasks and technical functions required by certain occupational fields at entry, intermediate, or advanced levels.

Proposals must describe how “Soft Skills” training such as Ready-to-Work will be incorporated into the training. Priority consideration will be given to training programs that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials that align with in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the local area. Such training must:

(1) Be outcome-oriented and focused on an occupational goal;

(2) Be of sufficient duration to impart the skills needed to meet the occupational goal; and

(3) Lead to the attainment of a nationally recognized credential. A list of United States

The Alabama Department of Commerce/WDD and GLWA serve as the administrative entity for activities pursuant to the workforce development programs funded and regulated under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA). The ADC/WDD in accordance with the provisions of WIOA Title I is a nondiscrimination/equal opportunity program. The SAW Board is comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors as prescribed in WIOA and is responsible for setting policy and overseeing WIOA funded activities in the SAW.

SAW occupational skills training proposals should focus on the needs of industries in the Southeast Alabama region. Each of these industries contain several career pathways in which a participant may enter an occupation and be able to advance within that specific occupation or occupational cluster.

Proposals featuring training in the following in-demand industry sectors will be shown preference: Agriculture/Poultry/Forestry, Aviation, Construction, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Services – Retail, Lodging, Food Service, and Transportation.

Additional special considerations will be given to proposals that demonstrate collaboration with the Alabama Department of Corrections to address Prisoner Re-entry as a part of the participant strategy.

Other industry sector opportunities must be supported by relevant labor market information. Proposals should demonstrate collaboration with local Alabama Career Centers as well as other community partners so that resources are used efficiently and effectively to address workforce development needs within the area. Veterans and their spouses are given priority for service under the WIOA. Proposals that include linkages with organizations serving veterans in the local area are also encouraged.

Board Meeting Minutes

WIOA Board Member List