State Training and Employment Program (STEP) Grants for Organizations

State Training and Employment Program (STEP) Grants for Organizations is sponsored by Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Alaska Workforce Investment Board. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

The State Training and Employment Program (STEP) is administered by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB) and funded by a set aside from the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The purpose of STEP is to enhance the quality and accessibility of in-state training and employment services for Alaska residents to help meet the workforce needs of employers in the state.

In addition, the program seeks to increase resident employment in industries where a high number of nonresidents are working, reduce future unemployment claims, and foster economic growth in all regions by meeting employer demand for a skilled workforce.

STEP provides several types of training opportunities, including industry-specific training; on-the-job training, apprentice training in a USDOL Registered Apprenticeship program; institutional or classroom job-linked training; and support services necessary to enable a participant to attend training and/or obtain or retain a job.

## STEP Grants for Organizations: Organizations eligible to apply for STEP funding include: * Private Sector Employers * Non-Profit organizations * Regional Training Centers * Adult Education and Training Providers * Sponsors of Federally Registered Apprenticeship Programs * Local and State Government Agencies * Enter your email address and click submit.

* Enter your email address again to confirm * Select your email delivery preference, * Select Grant Notifications under Employment and Training Services * Select AWIB News and Announcements under Workforce Investment Board * Select any other notification you'd like to receive * Click the submit button to finalize your selection ## Benefits of the program STEP targets participants who may be employed or employable, have worked in a job covered by unemployment insurance in any state, and who need training to improve their prospects for obtaining or retaining employment.

The goal of STEP is to help self-motivate individuals with realistic goals to gain essential skills for employment success. The benefit to STEP participants as they move forward in their careers aided by STEP training is increased earning potential. Employers who invest in a skilled workforce gain a competitive edge in business and benefit from costs incurred in supporting unemployment insurance for those not working.

## STEP Training for Individuals Are you an individual looking to participant in STEP? Please contact your local Job Center. They may also have other programs you may qualify for.

Frequently Asked Questions Where can individuals access STEP services? Individuals may access STEP services through the Alaska Job Center Network: https://jobs. alaska.

gov/offices/. Do I need to be a resident of Alaska to qualify for a grant? Yes.

Alaska residency is a program requirement. Who is eligible to receive STEP funding? Individuals are eligible if they have worked in a position covered by unemployment insurance within the last 5 years and need skills to increase their employment outlook.

Employers or organizations who are seeking training to increase workers skills to meet industry demands for individuals who have contributed to Unemployment Insurance within the last 5 years. What are high demand industries? Health care, construction, information technology, education, natural resource development, transportation, hospitality and tourism, and seafood harvesting and processing.