Specifications include, but are not limited to: A: Demand Driven and Reflects Regional Blueprint Plans 1. Describe the extent to which the program aligns to and/or correlates with priority industry sectors critical occupations and strategies for education, training and employment outcomes defined by the Workforce Skills Cabinet Regional Planning Blueprint for the applicant’s area. Please note the Workforce Skills Cabinet has included a list of priority occupational vocational programs in Appendix A for funding consideration 2. Describe the applicant’s experience and plan to work with complementary or similar programs in the region that provide opportunities for collaboration or pathway opportunities for students Describe the applicant’s experience related to meeting the needs of the target population and plans related specifically to the funding request for working with industry, economic development, workforce development, regional planning organizations and/or education providers to inform program design. 3. Describe past evidence of job placement for graduates from the program, including evidence provided by relevant regional employers. 4. Complete the chart to identify the high-demand target occupation (including SOC coded (s) and current regional vacancies (job openings) and projected estimated number of future vacancies. For assistance related to vacancies contact your workforce development board. Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code(s) information can be found at http://www.onetonline.org B: Leverages Partnerships and Matching Funding: Provide evidence that the program the equipment will support is operated in close partnership with other organizations in the region to increase the program’s reach and capacity. Related to the program (s) and requested equipment and high-demand career pathways: 1. Identify and describe current and future partnerships and roles of economic development, MassHire career centers, workforce development organization(s) and/or community based organization(s). 2. Identify your current and anticipated education partners’ roles and activities related to the program(s) the new equipment is supporting. 3. Identify your current and anticipated employer partners’ roles and activities related to the program(s) the new equipment is supporting. Attach at least two current letters of support from employer partners that identifies the sustainable role (s) they will provide to support the program. If an employer is providing in-kind or cash support, please request the employer include the information in the letter. 4. Identify any specific work-based learning experience activities related to the program. Describe plans for increasing the number of active employer partners. Identify if your partner currently is collaborating with Connecting Activities, Youth Works, STEM@Work, STEM Internships, Registered Apprentice or other education, state agency, or community-based programs. 5. Identify how the equipment will support new learning models including digitally enhanced, competency based, hybrid or online delivery learning. 6. Identify if applicable how your program(s) mitigate impacts to climate change (energy efficiencies, use of renewables, training in green job career paths, etc.). Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-climatechange-assessment