Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC)
The WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITY FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE (WORC), provides grant funds to support workforce development activities that prepare workers for good jobs in high-demand occupations in rural communities. NBRC partners with the Department of Labor to provide grantees with technical assistance to promote successful projects and strong outcomes for workers and businesses. NBRC State Program Managers are not the primary support for applicants to the WORC program. Interested applicants are invited to submit questions to NBRC’s technical assistance provider, Chamberlin/Dunn* at mc@chamberlindunn.com or nd@chamberlindunn.com.
*NBRC is pleased to continue to work with Chamberlin/Dunn LLC (C/D) to deliver pre-application and post-award technical assistance to Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Round 6 applicants and grantees in the Northern Border Region. C/D brings extensive experience with Department of Labor grants, generally, and with the WORC initiative specifically. Chamberlin/Dunn has served as the TA provider for WORC grantees in the Appalachian region since the program’s Round 1, in 2019, and for the Northern Border and Delta regions since Round 5. Based in Indiana, C/D works with nonprofit and public organizations throughout the U.S. to plan, evaluate, and improve programs that support community prosperity. www.chamberlindunn.com
The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the sixth round of the WORC program can be found here Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov). Please see below for information on the upcoming webinars to be hosted by both DoL and NBRC to provide additional program details, as well as technical assistance available to potential applicants to the program in the region. These sessions will be free and open to the public.
TA Webinars for NBRC-Region Funding Opportunity: Along with its technical assistance provider, Chamberlin/Dunn, NBRC is hosting a technical assistance series to break down components of the 2024 Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC Round 6) funding opportunity, a grant initiative from the U.S. Department of Labor in partnership with NBRC, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority. See dates and registration links for each webinar in the descriptions below. Go here to access the WORC application materials. Note that applicants must register for each session they wish to attend.
Session 1: WORC 6 Opportunity Overview. REGISTER
Tuesday, May 7, 2:00-3:00 EDT
An overview of eligible applicants and allowable categories of funding as well as technical details, requirements, and instructions for how to apply for the 2024 Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant opportunity, FOA-ETA-24-08.
Session 2: WORC 6 Application Components & Easy to Miss Details. REGISTER
Wednesday, May 29, 10:00-11:00 EDT
Breaks down the application components of the 2022 Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant opportunity, FOA-ETA-23-07, including sections, subsections, and scoring. Places special emphasis on the Statement of Need, a critical component of the Project Narrative.
Session 3: WORC 6 Project Results and Reporting Requirements. REGISTER
Wednesday, May 29, 2:00-3:00 EDT
Explains the requirement for applicants to define Project Results and connection to core principles as part of their Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant applications, including definitions; examples; tips for aligning activities, results, and sustainability; and an overview of USDOL reporting requirements.
Session 4: WORC 6 Budget Forms and Funding Limitations. REGISTER
Thursday, May 30, 10:00-11:00 EDT
Reviews the requirements of the SF424, SF424-A, and the Budget Narrative, including cost categories and funding limits for certain allowable activities.
Session 5: WORC 6 Planning, Writing, & Budgeting for Successful Implementation. REGISTER
Thursday, May 30, 2:00-3:00 EDT
Provides applicants with “unofficial” considerations regarding project design and budgeting decisions that impact project success, drawn from observations and lessons learned during the past five years of WORC implementation.