Specifications include, but are not limited to: This funding opportunity will aid in providing programs that center around providing critical services for these OYAs that will accelerate their movement into family-sustaining jobs. This program will allow the state to implement projects that utilize innovative, OYA-centered outreach and program strategies for OYAs and place them in living-wage jobs and develop culturally competent services and programs tailored to the needs of young people with barriers experiencing unemployment or underemployment informed by OYA voice through engagement that builds on the experience and perspective of OYA for program design and delivery. Therefore, the OYA Career Pathway Program PY 23-24 grant competition solicits proposals that employ best practices to accelerate employment into good-quality jobs in health, infrastructure, agriculture, and manufacturing, explicitly emphasizing public sector career pathways. Competitive programs will develop innovative employment strategies for the target populations by combining targeted industry sector training and education with traumainformed and tailored wrap-around services. Programs should launch OYAs into sustainable career paths with a trajectory toward upward mobility. Particular attention should be devoted to expanding registered apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities and developing other education and training alternatives to the traditional four-year degree that prepare OYAs for quality employment in growing industries and provide good-quality jobs that offer living wages, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.
