Welder Workforce Development Grant Application
What Assistance is Available?
AWS Foundation has available welder workforce development funds as a result of gifts from generous donors with the motivation to immediately impact and increase the welder workforce. A portion of these funds may be used to address the critical need to recruit and train entry level welders for the workforce, and assist the specific welder needs of welding businesses. The focus of this program will be to recruit and train entry level welders or to provide welders with specific specialized training to assist welder workforce needs for a specific company(s). This program will require a joint application through a partnership between a company(s) and an education & training institution(s).
A maximum of up to $40,000 total will be awarded through this program.
Criteria for Participating Companies and Partnering Education Institutions
With this process to allocate funding, we are requiring companies who have a demonstrated need for welders to partner with an education/training institution.
- Small-to-medium size companies (less than 500 employees)
- Must have training needs due to business growth, retirement, or retraining of an existing workforce on new joining or cutting technology
- Must demonstrate good housekeeping and safety history. OSHA reports will be reviewed and site visit(s) to the company by AWS Foundation selection committee representatives may be required
- High schools
- Trade schools
- Community colleges
- Industry partners who have internal training facilities
Overview of the Application Process
The company and the educational institution partner will submit a joint application to the AWS Foundation which will include specific activities that will be implemented to address the company's workforce needs.
- What the funding will be used for, including expected outcomes and measures of success
- How the outcomes will be achieved; what strategies will be implemented
- The application's relevance to the AWS Foundation’s areas of interest
Preference will be given to applications with the biggest impact in reducing welder workforce shortages. Although matching funds are not required, company(s) support is encouraged.
Funds may be used for:- tuition for training, which may include certifications
- student textbooks and/or related classroom materials
- facilities improvements
- capital items
- equipment purchases or upgrades
- travel expenses
- funding will not be available for start-up companies
Applications are due to the AWS Foundation by July 31, 2009
Measures of Success
AWS will audit the success of the project one year after the grant funds are released to the applicant. Projects will be measured against the original proposal/application submitted. Documentation, including an itemized, actual budget will be required by AWS.
