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 seventh round of the WORC program is currently in development. Detalied informaiton on the WORC opportunity can be found here Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov). Once the Round 7 FOA is finalized, please continue to check this website for 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.
Watch: Informational Videos and Webinars for Potential Applicants
Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative Round 6- Potential Applicant Webcast
The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative enables rural communities to propose projects that demonstrate regionally driven, comprehensive approaches to addressing economic distress and necessary workforce development activities to ensure a workforce capable of succeeding in current and future job opportunities. This webcast is designed to discuss the recently released Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) with prospective applicants.
TA Webinars for NBRC-Region Funding Opportunity:
Please see below for recorded webinars 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. Click here to access the WORC application materials for reference.
Session 1: WORC 6 Opportunity Overview. WATCH RECORDING
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. WATCH RECORDING
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. WATCH RECORDING
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. WATCH RECORDING
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. WATCH RECORDING
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.