The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is releasing a Request for Application (RFA) for the Training for Tomorrow Program, a part of Governor Quinn’s Neighborhood Recovery Initiative,  to promote workforce revitalization through providing employment and training opportunities that meet the specific skill needs of local employers and residents. 

Eligible applicants are Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that are not-for-profit, have a local Board of Directors and provide job training services either directly or through a formal agreement with a certified training provider; serve individuals who are low income, face multiple barriers to employment and/or are recipients of public assistance or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).  

Clients that are eligible to receive employment and training services must be unemployed disadvantaged persons who are 18 years old and over and meet at least one of the income requirements as established in the RFA.

The  RFA must be completed and returned by midnight, Friday October 22, 2010 for consideration.  Please review the RFA for details on this opportunity and submittal requirements.

Training for Tomorrow Program Description

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is releasing a Request for Application (RFA) to promote workforce revitalization through providing employment and training opportunities that meet the specific skill needs of local employers and residents.  Eligible applicants are Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that are not-for-profit, have a local Board of Directors and provide job training services either directly or through a formal agreement with a certified training provider; serve individuals who are low income, face multiple barriers to employment and/or are recipients of public assistance or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Clients that are eligible to receive employment and training services must be unemployed disadvantaged persons who are 18 years old and over and meet at least one of the income requirements as established in the RFA.   In addition, the clients served must reside in the following target communities:  Albany Park, Auburn Gresham, Austin, Brighton Park, Cicero, East Garfield Park, Englewood, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Maywood, North Lawndale, Lower West Side (Pilsen)- Little Village, Rogers Park, Roseland, South Shore, Gage Park, Chicago Lawn, West Garfield Park, Woodlawn; or other communities  will be considered if the applicant can demonstrate a need based on community unemployment and poverty data.

DCEO's funding determination will be based on the CBO's capacity to provide an employment and training project that demonstrates the following elements:

A)  Experience of the community-based organization in providing employment and training   services, either directly or through formal partnerships with certified training providers, to disadvantaged persons, including welfare recipient;

B) Training provided to the participants exhibits a standard of quality and relevance to meet the needs of the local employers in the key sectors of Agriculture, Green Sector, Healthcare, Hospitality, Information Technology, Manufacturing, or Transportation/Distribution/Logistics.

C) Demonstration of job placement opportunities of disadvantaged persons in an occupation within the key sector; and/or demonstration of placement in additional training opportunities in the key sector pathway.

The RFA was released October 7, 2010 and the grants will run up to 12 months. All applications will be due by midnight Friday, October 22, 2010.

Download RFA