[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 241 (Friday, December 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64859-64872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30922]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
[SGA No. DFA 02-102]
H-1B Technical Skills Training Grants
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Labor.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant
applications (SGA). This notice contains all of the necessary
information and forms needed to apply for grant funding.
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SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL), announces the availability of grant funds
for skills training programs for unemployed and employed workers. These
grants are financed by a user fee paid by employers to bring foreign
workers into the U.S. under a new H-1B nonimmigrant visa or at visa
renewal. As part of the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program, this skills
training program was authorized under the American Competitiveness and
Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (ACWIA), as amended. The grants are
intended to be a long-term solution to domestic skill shortages in high
skill and high technology occupations. Grant awards will be made only
to the extent that funds are available. Section 414(c) of ACWIA as
amended, (Pub. L. 106-313; 114 Stat. 1257, 29 USC 2916a(2)(A)(ii))
specifies that the Secretary of Labor shall award 25 percent of the
grants under these provisions for demonstration projects or programs
under section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act (Pub. L. 105-220, 29
USC 2916) to partnerships that shall consist of at least two businesses
or a business-related nonprofit organization that represents more than
one business, and that may include any educational, labor, community
organization, or workforce investment board, except that such grant
funds may be used only to carry out a strategy that would otherwise not
be eligible for funds provided through workforce investment boards
under H-1b technical Skills Training Grants announced in the Federal
Register on April 13, 2001 (66 FR 19209), due to barriers in meeting
those partnership eligibility criteria, on a national, multi-state,
regional, or rural area (such as rural telework programs) basis.
Community organizations may include faith-based organizations. Grants
will be distributed fairly across rural and urban areas and across
geographic regions.
This solicitation describes the application submission
requirements, the process that eligible entities must use to apply for
funds covered by this solicitation, and how grantees will be selected.
This solicitation is the first in a series to fund grants to business
partnerships or business-related non-profits.
Approximately $20 million will be available for funding projects
under in this solicitation, with six to 16 projects to be selected for
funding. The maximum award of each grant will not exceed $3 million. It
is anticipated that an additional $16 million will be available for
funding projects covered in the 25% of this year's funding through the
competitive process for a total $36 million committed to this effort.
DATES: Applications for grant awards will be accepted commencing
immediately. The closing date for receipt of applications shall be
February 12, 2002, at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the address below.
ADDRESSES: Applications will be mailed to the U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment and Training Administration, Division of Federal Assistance,
Attention: Ella Freeman, SGA/DFA 02-102, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Room S-4203, Washington, DC 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be faxed to Ella
Freeman, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Federal Assistance,
Fax (202) 693-2879. This is not a toll free number. All inquiries
should include the SGA number (DFA 02-102) and a contact name, fax and
phone number. This solicitation will also be published on the Internet
on the Employment and Training Administration's Homepage at http://www.doleta.gov. Award notifications will also be published on this
Homepage.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Employment and Training Administration
(ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), announces the availability of
grant funds for skill training programs for unemployed and employed
workers. These grants are financed by a user fee paid by employers to
bring foreign workers into the U.S. under a new H-1B nonimmigrant visa
or at visa renewal. As part of the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program, this
skills training program was authorized under the American
Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (``the Act''), as
amended. The grants are intended to be a long-term solution to domestic
skill shortages in high skill and high technology occupations.
The Act creates two separate grant programs. Seventy-five (75%)
percent of the available grant funds will be awarded to Local Workforce
Investment Boards (Local Boards) established under section 117 of the
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) (Pub. L. 105-220, 29 USC 2832), or
regional consortia of Local Boards. Regional consortia of boards may be
interstate. Each Local Board or consortium of boards receiving grant
funds must represent a local or regional public-private partnership
that is comprised of at least: (i) One Local Board; (ii) one business
or business-related non-profit organization such as a trade
association; and (iii) one community-based organization or higher
education institution or labor union. Community organizations may
include faith-based organizations that will carry out such programs or
projects through the One-Stop delivery systems
[[Page 64860]]
established under section 121 of WIA (29 USC 2841). These funds were
made available under H-1B Technical Skills Training Grants announced in
the Federal Register on April 13, 2001 (66 FR 19209).
This SGA concerns the remaining 25 percent of the available funds
that will be awarded to business partnerships that consist of at least
two businesses or a business-related nonprofit organization that
represents more than one business. The partnership may also include any
educational, labor, community organization, or Local Board. Community
organizations may include faith-based organizations. These grant funds
may be used only to carryout a strategy that would otherwise not be
eligible for the 75 percent funds discussed above. Applicants for the
25 percent funds must explain the barriers they faced in meeting the
partnership eligibility criteria for the 75 percent funds--for example,
the business partnerships may be on a national, multi-state, regional
or rural area basis (such as rural telework programs).
ACWIA 2000 provides resources for skill training in high skill and
high technology occupations that are in demand by U.S. business. One
key measure of this demand is determined by the number of employer H-1B
applications for foreign workers. For example, industries that appear
to generate the most current H-1B demand are information technology
(IT) and health care. Some examples of specific occupations that can be
trained for through this initiative include: registered nurses with
four-year degrees, physical therapists, and laboratory technicians.
Appendix B to this solicitation provides information on the kinds of
occupations certified under the H-1B program by the Department of Labor
for the first five months of Fiscal Year 2000 (October 1, 1999 through
February 29, 2000) and the number of job openings certified in each
occupation.
This initiative will build on similar ETA initiatives that deal
with the issue of skill shortages including the June 1998 dislocated
worker technology demonstration, the new dislocated worker technology
demonstration, the regional skills consortium building awards announced
in March 2000, the individual training account demonstration grant
awards announced in February 2000 and the skills strategies,
partnership training/system building demonstration awards which were
announced in June 2000. These efforts were intended to strengthen
linkages between employers experiencing skill shortages in specific
occupations and the publicly-funded workforce system. In June 1998,
$7.5 million in JTPA Title III dislocated worker funds were awarded to
11 organizations throughout the country to train workers in skills
related to the information technology industry. In June 1999, over
$9.57 million was awarded to 10 grantees to train dislocated workers in
the skills necessary to obtain work requiring advanced skills in
occupations in manufacturing industry settings, including computers and
electronics manufacturing, machinery and motor vehicles, chemicals and
petroleum, specialized instruments and devices, and biomedics. On March
2, 2000, 23 awards totaling $15.2 million were announced for the
regional skills consortium competition. Finally, this solicitation is
taking into account the experience gained from the first, second and
third rounds of the H-1B competition for which 9 awards totaling $12.4
million were announced on February 10, 2000, 12 awards totaling $29.2
million were announced on July 19, 2000, and 22 awards totaling $54.0
million were announced on October 20, 2000.
In this round, ETA is soliciting proposals on a competitive basis
for the conduct of demonstration projects to provide technical skills
training for workers, including both employed and unemployed workers.
This announcement consists of three parts:
Part I--Application Process.
Part II--Statement of Work/Reporting Requirements.
Part III--Review Process/Rating Criteria.
Part I--Application Process
A. Eligible Applicants
ACWIA, as amended, specifies that grant funds may be used only to
carry out a strategy that would otherwise not be eligible for funds
provided under provisions establishing the Local Board-based grant, due
to barriers in meeting those partnership eligibility criteria, on a
national, multi-state, regional, or rural area (such as rural telework
programs) basis. Such barriers might include the nationwide, regional
or multi-state nature of the applicant firms' business or training
needs or labor-management partnerships; a dispersed client base such as
rural or other special populations; the use of a geographically
dispersed network of education providers or innovative dispersed
training methodologies (such as rural telework).
The applicant's proposal is expected to provide a detailed
discussion of participating organizations' respective responsibilities.
As required by ACWIA, ETA will give consideration in awarding grants to
any proposal that demonstrates a significant ability to expand a
training program or project through such means as training more workers
or offering more courses, and training programs or projects resulting
from collaborations, especially with more than one small business
(which ACWIA defines as 100 employees or less) or with a labor-
management training program or project. The need for training shall be
justified through reliable regional, state or local data.
The application must clearly identify the applicant (or the fiscal
agent), the grant recipient (and/or fiscal agent), and describe its
capacity to administer this project. The fiscal agent may be one of the
partner businesses, a business-related nonprofit organization, an
educational institution, labor union, community-based organization
(which may be faith-based), Local Board or related unit of state or
local government.
Part III of this announcement enumerates and defines in depth a
series of criteria that will be utilized to rate applicant submissions.
Briefly, these criteria are:
I. Statement of Need
II. Service Delivery Strategy
III. Target Population
IV. Sustainability
V. Linkages with Key Partners
VI. Outcomes
VII. Cost Effectiveness
B. Submission of Proposals
Applicants must submit one original and two copies of their
proposal. The proposal must consist of two (2) separate and distinct
parts, Parts I and II.
Part I of the proposal must contain the Standard Form (SF) 424,
``Application for Federal Assistance'' (Appendix C) and the Budget
Information Form (Appendix D). Upon confirmation of an award, the
individual signing the SF 424 on behalf of the applicant shall
represent the responsible financial and administrative entity.
In preparing the Budget Information form, the applicant must
provide a concise narrative explanation to support the request. The
statutory language of ACWIA, is specific in stating that grant
resources are to be expended for programs or projects to provide
technical skills training. The administrative costs are limited to no
more than 10 percent of the request and must clearly support the goals
of the project. An illustrative, but not
[[Page 64861]]
exclusive, list of allowable and allocable types of administrative
costs are provided in the WIA regulations at 20 CFR 667.200. Equipment
purchases shall be limited to no more than the amount allocated for
start-up costs. The budget narrative should discuss precisely how the
administrative costs support the project goals.
ACWIA, limits the amount of start-up costs of partnerships or new
training projects which may be charged to these grants (29 U.S.C.
2916a(3)). Except for partnerships of small businesses (100 employees
or less), the limit is five percent of any single grant or costs not to
exceed $75,000, whichever is less. For partnerships consisting
primarily of small businesses (100 employees or less), the limit is ten
percent of any single grant or a maximum of $150,000, whichever is
less.
Part II must contain a technical proposal that demonstrates the
Applicant's capabilities in accordance with the Statement of Work. A
technical proposal of the grant application is limited to 25 double-
spaced, single-sided, 8.5 inch x 11 inch pages with 1-inch margins.
Text type shall be 11 point or larger. The Applicant may provide
resumes, a staffing pattern, statistical information and related
material in attachments which may not exceed 15 pages. Although not
required, letters of commitment from partners or from those providing
matching resources may be submitted as attachments. Such letters will
count against the allowable maximum page total. The applicant must
briefly itemize those participating entities in the text of the
proposal. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be
considered. Each application must include a Time Line outlining project
activities and an Executive Summary that is not to exceed two pages.
The Time Line and the Executive Summary do not count against the 25
page limit. No cost data or reference to prices should be included in
the technical proposal.
Grantee organizations will be subject to: ACWIA, these guidelines;
the terms and the conditions of the grant and any subsequent
modifications; applicable Federal laws (including provisions in
appropriations law); all applicable requirements under H-1B Technical
Skills Training Grants announced in the Federal Register on April 13,
2001 (66 FR 19209).
In addition, the grantee must ensure that each individual
participating in this program has not violated section 3 of the
Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 453) by not presenting
and submitting to registration as required pursuant to such section.
Under section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C.
1611), an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 that engages in lobbying activities will not be
eligible for the receipt of federal funds constituting an award, grant,
or loan.
Note: Except as specifically provided in this solicitation, DOL/
ETA's acceptance of a proposal and an award of federal funds to
sponsor any program(s) does not provide a waiver of any grant
requirements and/or procedures. For example, applicable OMB
Circulars require, and applicant and subapplicant procurement
procedure(s) must require, that all procurement transactions are
conducted, as much as practical, to provide open and free
competition. If a proposal identifies a specific entity to provide
services, the DOL/ETA's award does not provide the justification or
basis to sole-source the procurement, i.e., it does not authorize
the applicant to avoid competition when procuring these services.
C. Hand Delivered Proposals
If proposals are hand delivered, they must be received at the
address identified above by February 12, 2002, at 4 p.m., Eastern Time.
All overnight mail will be considered to be hand delivered and must be
received at the designated place by 2:00 p.m., on the specified closing
date. Telegraphed and/or faxed proposals will not be accepted. Failure
to adhere to the above instructions will be a basis for a determination
of nonresponsiveness.
D. Late Proposals
A proposal received at the designated office after the exact time
specified for receipt will not be considered unless it is received
before award is made and it:
1. Was sent by registered or certified mail not later than the
fifth calendar day before the date specified for receipt of
applications (e.g., a proposal submitted in response to a solicitation
requiring receipt of applications by the 19th of the month must be
mailed by the 14th);
2. Was sent by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service,
Post Office to addressee, not later than 5 p.m. at the place of mailing
two working days prior to the date specified for proposals. The term
``working days'' excludes weekends and U.S. Federal holidays.
The only acceptable evidence that an application was sent in
accordance with these requirements is a printed, stamped, or otherwise
placed impression (exclusive of a postage meter machine impression)
that is readily identifiable without further action as having been
supplied or affixed on the date of mailing by employees of the U.S.
Postal Service.
E. Period of Performance
The initial period of performance will be 24 months from the date
of execution of the grant documents. It is anticipated that about $20
million will be disbursed under this announcement. U.S. Department of
Labor may extend these grants for an additional period not to exceed 12
months, with or without additional funding, based on the availability
of funds and successful program operation.
F. Definitions for Purposes of This Solicitation
Technical skills training may be generally defined as the Atraining
services' described in section 134(d)(4)(D) of WIA (29 U.S.C.
2864(d)(4)(D)). The H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant emphasizes
training in high-demand, high-level skills to individuals where there
is a shortage of qualified workers. Training may include a combination
of academic and work-place learning, including on-the-job training, and
instruction, as well as customized training to meet the needs of
individual participants and/or the needs of individual employers.
Customized training that is developed in partnership with an employer
(or group of employers) must be accompanied by an employer=s commitment
to hire those trainees upon successful completion of the training.
Training may be provided to American citizens and nationals and
immigrants authorized by the Attorney General to work in the United
States, which includes lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens,
refugees, asylees, and parolees, and other immigrants authorized by the
Attorney General to work in the United States. Note that workers
admitted under non-immigrant visas, such as the H-1B program and
related programs, are not eligible for training with these grant funds.
Region may be defined as an area which exhibits a commonality of
economic interest. A region may be comprised of more than one labor
market area or be one large labor market, one labor market area joined
together with adjacent rural districts, special purpose districts, and
contiguous and non-contiguous Local Boards. A region may be either
intrastate or interstate, and may be identical to the boundry of a
single Local Board.
Career Ladders may generally be defined as a system of career
options which encourage opportunities for professional growth and
upward mobility.
[[Page 64862]]
Older Workers are those who meet the age standard prescribed in the
Older Americans Act (42 USC 3056)--fifty five years or older--who are
seeking full-time employment.
G. Matching Funds
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to obtain resources
equivalent to at least 100 percent of the grant award amount as a
match. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the match must be from the
businesses or business related non-profit involved. This statutory
match may be provided in cash or in-kind contributions. Federal
resources may not be counted against the matching requirement. The
provision of essential capital equipment, such as computers and
furniture, is allowed as part of the match. The match may also include
supportive services not paid for with federal funds. The amount and
nature of the match must be clearly described in the application.
The 100 percent matching requirement is designed to assist grantees
in initiating sustainability for the proposed project. The Department
is particularly interested that the applicants demonstrate clear
evidence that matching resources will sustain training activities after
the expiration of the grant. Although matches may be one-time
occurrences, applicants are encouraged to seek partnerships that
reflect a commitment, financially and non-financially, to the future
success of the proposed program.
Part II--Statement of Work/Reporting Requirements
A. Principles
Five basic key principles underlie this effort:
Partnership Sustainability: The primary focus of these awards is
technical skills training. The statutory 100 percent non-Federal
matching requirement is an integral part of ensuring sustainability
because the matching resources are expected to help extend the skills
shortages training effort beyond the term of the grant. The requirement
that at least one-half of the matching funds must come from the
business sector partners is designed to ensure the direct and active
participation of employers whose labor needs can be filled by this
program. This partnership sustainability concept relates to two rating
criteria: Links with Key Partners and Sustainability (the resources
each partner offers and the role of external resources in building the
foundation for a permanent partnership).
Current Skills Gap: Access to training to fill current local or
regional skills shortages is the immediate focus of this initiative.
Training investments should be targeted in occupational areas that have
been identified on the basis of H-1B occupations as skills shortage
areas. This key principle relates to two criteria: Statement of Need
and Service Delivery Strategy (the innovative manner in which skills
training will meet the skill needs of the region.)
Innovative and Effective Tools: The grantees will use innovative or
proven tools and approaches, that may include on-the-job training, to
close particular skills gaps and provide strategies for training that
promote regional development. This principle relates to two criteria:
Service Delivery Strategy in which innovation is encouraged, and Cost
Effectiveness. Innovative training programs may result in better
employment outcomes and higher levels of skill achieved by those
participants for the same cost.
Target Population: Technical skills training under ACWIA, as
amended, is geared towards employed and unemployed workers who can be
trained and placed directly in highly skilled H-1B occupations (See
Attachment B for examples of these occupations). Training may be
provided to American citizens and nationals and immigrants authorized
by the Attorney General to work in the United States, which includes
lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens, refugees, asylees, and
parolees, and other immigrants authorized by the Attorney General. Note
that workers admitted under non-immigrant visas, such as the H-1B
program and related programs, are not eligible for training with grant
funds. Up to 5 additional points will be awarded for special efforts to
include outreach to target women, minorities, persons with
disabilities, older workers, and workers in rural areas. This key
principle is related to the Target Population rating criterion.
Career Ladders: Employees at the H-1B skills level are generally
characterized as having a Bachelor=s degree or comparable work
experience. H-1B technical skills training is targeted to but not
limited to skills levels commensurate with a 4-year degree. The
training may prepare workers for a broad range of positions along a
career ladder. ACareer ladder'' may generally be defined as a system of
career options which encourage opportunities for professional growth
and upward mobility. The technical skills training can include a broad
range of positions along a career ladder that eventually lead to a high
skills level job. Thus, potential trainees are not required to enter
training with a 4-year degree. Additionally, trainees are not expected
to acquire a 4-year degree to be successful. Career ladders create
opportunities for individuals who may vary in experience and education
levels (such as vocational training and Associates= degrees) to advance
along a career ladder and qualify for H-1B related occupations.
B. Skills Shortages
Section 414(c) of ACWIA, as amended (29 USC 2916a0, mandates that
the grants awarded under this authority be used for technical skills
training to employed and unemployed workers. The basis of the funding
for the grants is a user fee paid with the H-1B visa application by an
employer seeking highly-skilled personnel to fill high-skill shortages
in American industries. Training must focus on occupations that are
experiencing skills shortage in the domestic job market. The long-term
goal of the program is to train American workers in the necessary/
appropriate skills to fill shortages in highly skilled industries.
C. Skills Standards
Skills standards represent a benchmark by which an individual's
achieved competence can be measured. Work in this area has been
performed by private industry and trade associations, registered
apprenticeship training systems, and public and private partnerships
(including the Job Corps). Well-defined skills standards can be useful
tools in matching training goals to targeted occupational areas.
Applicants are encouraged to survey the progress to date in developing
occupational skills standards in their communities, such as
establishing a clearly defined set of expectations for the requisite
capabilities of workers.
As noted earlier, the definition of the minimum proficiency level
required to be considered an H-1B occupation, contained in section
214(i), of the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) (USC 1184(i)),
speaks to a very high skills level for these ``specialty occupations.''
These are occupations that require ``theoretical and practical
application of a body of highly specialized knowledge,'' and full state
licensure to practice in the occupation (if it is required). These
occupations also must require either completion of at least a
bachelor's degree or experience in the specialty equivalent to the
completion of such degree and recognition of expertise in the specialty
through progressively responsible positions relating to the specialty.
[[Page 64863]]
D. Regional Planning
As applicable, applicants must describe the local area or region
that will be served with particular emphasis on its skills shortages.
The proposal also must identify the governmental jurisdictions to be
included and provide an enumeration of the specific local areas that
are served under WIA. Although comprehensive occupational vacancy data
are unavailable, current H-1B applicant data should be utilized to the
extent feasible to describe occupational shortages. Attachment B to
this solicitation is a listing by occupations for which H-1B visas are
being sought as shown by the most current H-1B applicant data. Requests
for H-1B visas for the applicant's region may reflect a skills shortage
of those occupations, as well.
Applicants are encouraged to utilize all available state and local
data, including that provided by area businesses and business
associations, in making determinations of regional shortages.
Applicants are encouraged to analyze data made available by their state
labor market information (LMI) organization, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS), and through the local One-Stop delivery system,
www.servicelocator.org.
E. Service Delivery and Supportive Services
Applicants should carefully describe the skills training that will
be provided under the grant in the context of the goals that are to be
achieved by participants. ACWIA, states that consideration will be
given to applicants who commit to provide at least one of three target
outcomes for participants who complete training. These outcomes are the
hiring or effecuate the hiring of unemployed trainees, increased wages
or salaries of employed workers, and receipt of skill certificates
documenting skills acquisition or a link to industry accepted
occupational skill standards, certificates, or licensing requirements
(29 U.S.C. 2916a(4)(A)).
ACWIA, requires that at least 80 percent of grants be awarded to
projects which target occupations in high technology, information
technology and biotechnology. For example, this includes skills needed
in software and communications services, telecommunications, systems
installation and integration, computers and communications hardware,
advanced manufacturing, health care technology, biotechnology and
biomedical research and manufacturing, and innovation services. Not
more than 20 percent of the available funds may be awarded for training
in any single specialty occupation, as defined by section 214(i) of the
Immigration and Nationalization Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(i)). A response to
the Statement of Work criterion should provide a detailed discussion of
the kinds of training to be provided and the mechanisms to be used to
provide it. Applicants must include in their work statement a
discussion of the types of skills training being provided, the targeted
skills levels, how the skills will be measured, and how skills
shortages in the local area or region will be met through this
training.
Grant funds may not be used to provide supportive services.
However, applicants may need to make a range of supportive services
available to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the skill
training provided under the grant. Appropriately focused services, as
defined by section 101(46) of WIA (29 U.S.C. 2801(46))--such as
transportation or childcare--are considered as important enhancements
to the technical skills training package. In order to provide a full
range of supportive services, applicants may build linkages to the One-
Stop Career Center network. Successful applicants are encouraged to
leverage such Federal resources as part of making the technical skills
training project more effective. Applicants are also encouraged to use
their own non-federal funds to provide supportive services as part of
the matching requirement or leveraged Federal resources from other
sources. Additional federal resources cannot be counted toward the
matching requirement.
Where possible, applicants are encouraged to form partnerships with
local Workforce Investment Boards (``Local Boards''). WIA requires
Local Boards to prepare a strategic workforce investment plan for the
areas that they embrace. Local Boards also designate One-Stop service
center operators (Local Boards don't select eligible training
providers). In short, Local Boards already are engaged in much of the
necessary work that could provide a solid foundation for the training
activities to be undertaken under ACWIA, as amended.
F. Reporting Requirements
The grantee is required to provide the reports and documents listed
below:
Quarterly Financial Reports. The grantee must submit to
the Grant Officer's Technical Representative (GOTR) within the 30 days
following each quarter, two copies of a quarterly Financial Status
Report (Standard Form 269) until such time as all funds have been
expended or the period of availability has expired.
Progress Reports. The grantee must submit a narrative with
the quarterly reports to the GOTR within the 30 days following each
quarter. Two copies are to be submitted providing a detailed account of
activities undertaken during that quarter including:
1. A discussion of the occupational areas for which skills training
is being provided;
2. The number of individuals currently in training, the number who
have successfully completed training and the number who are
unsuccessful or who have dropped out of training;
3. Job placements in skills shortage occupations of unemployed
workers;
4. Wage increases in skills shortage occupations of employed
workers;
a. Number of skill certifications received or training completions
to industry accepted occupational skill standards, certifications or
licensing requirements; and
b. An indication of any current problems which may affect
performance and proposed corrective action.
Final Report. A draft final report which summarizes
project activities and employment outcomes and related results of the
demonstration must be submitted no later than the expiration date of
the grant. One original and two copies of the final report must be
submitted no later than 60 days after the grant expiration date.
G. Evaluation
As required by ACWIA, as amended, applications must include an
agreement that the program or project shall be subject to evaluation
(or evaluations) by the Secretary of Labor to measure their
effectiveness. To learn from these skill training grants, ETA will
arrange for or conduct an independent evaluation of the outcomes,
impacts, and benefits of the demonstration projects. Evaluation
findings will help ETA identify promising practices and approaches that
will be disseminated throughout the publicly-funded workforce system.
Grantees must agree to make records on participants, employers and
funding available and to provide access to program operating personnel
and to participants, as specified by the evaluator(s) under the
direction of ETA, including after the period of operation.
Part III--Review Process & Rating Criteria
A careful evaluation of applications will be made by a technical
review panel who will evaluate the applications against the criteria
listed
[[Page 64864]]
below. The panel results are advisory in nature and not binding on the
Grant Officer. The Government may elect to award the grant with or
without discussions with the offeror. In situations without
discussions, an award will be based on the offeror's signature on the
(SF) 424, which constitutes a binding offer. In making her
determination, the Grant Officer may consider any relevant information
that comes to her attention. The Grant Officer will make final award
decisions based upon what is most advantageous to the Federal
Government in terms of geographical mix, technical quality and other
factors.
1. Statement of Need (15 points)
ACWIA, as amended, is a response to skills shortages around the
country in specific occupations. The most recent H-1B application data
are provided as Attachment B to this solicitation. Applicants should
clearly describe the local area or region for which services are to be
provided and the skills shortages prevalent in the region.
ACWIA, as amended, specifies that grant funds may be used only to
carry out a strategy that would otherwise not be eligible for funds
provided under the Local Workforce Investment Board based grant, due to
barriers in meeting those partnership eligibility criteria, on a
national, multi-state, regional, or rural area (such as rural telework
programs) basis. These barriers must be specified here. The applicant
must provide sufficient detail on such barriers to justify why
application is not made on a local basis through a Local Board. Failure
to adequately fulfill this criterion will result in disqualification of
the application.
The applicant is encouraged to utilize all available data resources
to assure that its description of need is relevant to local labor
market shortages, as applicable to the business partnership or
business-related nonprofit. Establishing viable partnerships are
essential. In responding to this criterion, applicants can make use of
information that can include, but is not limited to, state labor market
information, H-1B applications, census data, newspaper want ads,
expressed employer hiring demands, and information from the One-Stop
system. Descriptive items about the local area or region, such as
whether it is rural or urban, should be included. (What high technology
needs and opportunities exist in the region? What are the particular
characteristics of the local political, economic and administrative
jurisdictions--Local Boards, labor market areas, or special district
authorities--that led them to associate for the purpose of this
application?)
A general description of the local area or region should include
socioeconomic data, with a particular focus on the general education
and skills level prevalent in the area. Applicants are encouraged to
include information such as transportation patterns, and statistical
and demographic information (e.g., age and income data). Other germane
information that will provide greater depth of description include:
What is the general business environment.
What industries and occupations are growing and declining.
What types of skills are being sought in the local area or
region by the major employers in general, and the partnership member
companies, in particular.
2. Service Delivery Strategy (25 points)
Applicants must lay out a comprehensive strategy for providing the
technical skills training that is mandated as the core activity of
these grant awards. A brief discussion of the impact of skills training
in response to the identified skills shortages of the region should be
included. Specific issues that must be addressed as part of this
section include:
The range of potential training providers, the types of
skills training that will be offered, how the training will meet the
local area or regional skills needs, and how the training will be
provided.
What steps will be taken to reach out to potential
community(ies) to provide information about the project and planned
training activities.
How will the types of training planned for project
participants be determined.
We encourage applicants to be innovative in the training services
they provide. Innovation in the context of service delivery can
represent a wide variety of items. Innovation may be implemented in the
manner in which training services are provided--e.g., new partnerships
to provide or participate in training, use of technology (such as
distance learning to provide instruction, interactive video self-
instructional materials), and flexible class scheduling (sections of
the same class scheduled at different times of the day to accommodate
workers whose schedules fluctuate). Creativity in developing the
service strategy also is encouraged.
3. Target Population (10 points, 5 bonus points)
The eligibility criteria for skills training enumerated in ACWIA
2000 are extremely broad and include employed and unemployed workers.
Training may be provided to American citizens and nationals and to
immigrants authorized by the Attorney General to work in the United
States, which includes lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens,
refugees, asylees, and parolees, and other immigrants authorized by the
Attorney General. Note that workers admitted under non-immigrant visas,
such as H-1B and related programs, are not eligible for training with
these grant funds. This section should clearly identify the targeted
workers, including their characteristics, and explain why they are
targeted. A discussion of what assessment procedures are to be used is
critical. The applicant should address some specific issues relating to
the target employed worker population such as:
How many employed workers will be targeted for services
and why.
The technical skills training needs of those workers to
fulfill skills shortage occupations.
The selection process for workers, both employed and
unemployed, should be carefully described to make it clear how those
individuals will be determined to possess the capacity after the
completion of training to accept jobs that previously were filled via
the H-1B visa process. In the case of unemployed workers, an extensive
discussion of the criteria to be used to assess and enroll individuals
should be included.
The applicant should describe the outreach methods to
target minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, older workers,
and individuals in rural areas. Applicants who effectively target such
workers will be awarded up to 5 additional points.
4. Sustainability (10 points)
Applicants must demonstrate a statutory 100 percent match to the
resources for proposed projects. At least one-half of these funds must
come from the business partners or business-related nonprofit
organizations involved. Matches may either be in cash or in-kind
contributions. Federal resources may not be counted against the
matching requirement. Applicants must describe to what extent the
partners are providing matching funds or services and how this
contribution assists in building the foundation for a permanent
partnership, i.e., sustainability. Partnerships and matching resources
are considered an integral element of the
[[Page 64865]]
project, as they support and strengthen the quality of the technical
skills training provided and contribute materially toward
sustainability.
We encourage applicants to give preference for identifying other
resources both Federal and non-Federal, because they can contribute
materially toward quality outcomes and sustainability. (Note that
although Federal resources may not be counted as match, they may be
counted to demonstrate the project sustainability.) Applicants are also
encouraged to establish relationships with State and Local Workforce
Investment Boards and relevant state agencies, as they may provide
valuable assistance and resources that can contribute to the success
and sustainability of a proposed project. Applicants should enumerate
these resources in this section to support their discussion of
sustainability and also describe any specific existing contractual
commitments. The sustainability issue can be addressed by providing
concrete evidence that activities supported by the proposal will be
continued after the expiration date of the grant by using other public
or private resources.
5. Linkages With Key Partners (15 points)
The applicant should identify the partners and how they will
interact together, i.e., what role each will play and what resources
each partner will offer. In particular, this section should identify
partnerships with the private and public sectors, including ties with
small and medium-sized businesses and small business federations. The
Service Delivery Strategy section of the Statement of Work describes
the role of each of the actors in delivering the proposed services,
while this section is intended to look at the linkages from a more
structural perspective with particular emphasis on the employers in the
consortium that are experiencing skills shortages and how the proposal
will train participants to meet employers' needs.
ETA also is interested in the extent of the involvement of small
businesses in the partnership. Consideration will be given to any
partnership that involves and directly benefits more than one small
business (each consisting of 100 employees or less).
6. Outcomes (15 points)
Applicants must describe the predicted outcomes resulting from this
training. It is estimated that the projected results will be somewhat
varied given the broad range of people who will probably be served. For
example, employed workers are more likely to be trained to achieve a
higher skills level than most unemployed workers. Participant success
can be determined through placements in H-1B skills shortage
occupations, increased wages, or skills attainment in H-1B occupations,
or in training for or placement in positions on a career ladder toward
such skills attainment.
There are, however, unemployed workers, including dislocated
workers who have been laid off permanently from their jobs through no
fault of their own, who may well already possess a very high skills
level. They could receive additional technical skills training to
enhance their skills.
The outcomes for this group may be projected in terms of gaining
new employment and skills attainment.
Outcomes for employed workers may be at a somewhat higher level
than for those unemployed workers who do not possess similar skills at
the outset. Because of the differing skill levels and backgrounds of
participants in an H-1B training program, the outcomes section should
discuss proposed gains attained for individual participants in context
of their backgrounds and skill levels when they entered. Therefore, the
focus of the discussion in this section should emphasize very
specifically the benefits that occur because of the training. For
example, an applicant might state that a certain skills level is
projected for a given group and indicate what change in skills that
represents and how that might translate into an increase in earnings.
The application must identify the occupations participants will be
trained in. Please identify each occupation in terms of skills in high
technology, information technology and biotechnology, including skills
needed for software and communication services, telecommunications,
systems installation and integration, computers and communications
hardware, advanced manufacturing, health care technology, bio-
technology and biomedical research and manufacturing and innovation
services, or in terms of other high skilled specialty occupations.
Consideration in the award of grants will be given to applicants
which commit to achieving one or more of the following outcome goals
upon successful completion of a training program:
(1) The hiring of or effecuate the hiring of unemployed trainees
(if applicable);
(2) Increases in the wages or salaries of already employed trainees
(if applicable); and
(3) Awards of skills certifications to trainees or linking the
training to industry-accepted occupational skill standards,
certificates or licensing requirements.
7. Cost Effectiveness (10 points)
Applicants will provide a detailed cost proposal, including a
discussion of the expected cost effectiveness of their proposal in
terms of the expected cost per participant compared to the expected
benefits for these participants. Applicants should address the
employment outcomes, increased salary, promotion or retention and the
levels of skills to be achieved (such as attaining state licensing in
an occupation) relative to the amount of training that the individual
needed to receive to achieve those outcomes. Benefits can be described
both qualitatively in terms of skills attained and quantitatively in
terms of wage gains.
Cost effectiveness may be demonstrated in part by cost per
participant and cost per activity in relation to services provided and
outcomes to be attained. This section MUST contain a detailed
discussion of the size, nature, and quality of the non-Federal match.
Proposals not presenting a detailed discussion of the non-Federal match
or not meeting the statutory 100 percent match requirement, or not
demonstrating that businesses or business-related nonprofit
organizations involved provide at least half the match will be
considered non-responsive and will not be considered.
The application must specify a management entity, the resumes of
major staff members and detailed descriptions of the roles of various
entities participating in the partnership. Each application MUST
designate an individual who will serve as project director and who will
devote a substantial portion of his/her time to the project, which may
be defined as at least 40 percent. A short portion of this discussion
should describe the organizational capacity and track record in high
skill training and related activities of the primary actors in the
partnership.
Signed in Washington, DC, this 11th day of December, 2001.
James W. Stockton,
Grant Officer.
Appendix A: Legislative Mandate
Appendix B: Selected H-1B Professional, Technical and Managerial
Occupations, and Fashion Models: Number of Job Openings Certified by
the U.S. Department of Labor, Fiscal Year 2000 (Oct. 1, 1999-Feb.
29, 2000)
Appendix C: (SF) 424-Application Form
Appendix D: Budget Information Form
[[Page 64866]]
Appendix A. Legislative Mandate
The relevant portions of ACWIA 2000, and the Immigration and
Nationality Act dealing with the establishment of a fund for
implementing a program of H-1B skill training grants state:
Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 286(s), (8 U.S.C.
1356(s))--H-1B NONIMMIGRANT PETITIONER ACCOUNT
(1) IN GENERAL--There is established in the general fund of the
Treasury a separate account, which shall be known as the ``H-1B
Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account.''
Notwithstanding any other section of this title, there shall be
deposited as offsetting receipts into the account all fees collected
under section 214(c)(9) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1184 (c)(9)).
(2) USE OF FEE FOR JOB TRAINING--55 percent of amounts deposited
into the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account shall remain available
to the Secretary of Labor until expended for demonstration programs
and projects described in section 414(c) of the American
Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C.
2916a).
SEC. 414(c) OF ACWIA (29 U.S.C. 2916a) DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
AND PROJECTS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SKILLS TRAINING FOR WORKERS.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--(A) FUNDING.--The Secretary of Labor shall use
funds available under section 286(s)(2) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(s)(2)) to establish demonstration
programs or projects to provide technical skills training for
workers, including both employed and unemployed workers.
(B) TRAINING PROVIDED.--Training funded by a program or project
described in subparagraph (A) shall be for persons who are currently
employed and who wish to obtain and upgrade skills as well as for
persons who are unemployed. Such training is not limited to skill
levels commensurate with a four-year undergraduate degree, but
should include the preparation of workers for a broad range of
positions along a career ladder. Consideration shall be given to the
use of grant funds to demonstrate a significant ability to expand a
training program or project through such means as training more
workers or offering more courses, and training programs or projects
resulting from collaborations, especially with more than one small
business or with a labor-management training program or project. The
need for the training shall be justified through reliable regional,
State, or local data.
(2) GRANTS.--(A) ELIGIBILITY.--To carry out the programs and
projects described in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary of Labor
shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, subject to
the availability of funds in the HB1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner
Account, award--
(i) 75 percent of the grants to a local workforce investment
board established under section 116(b) or section 117 of the
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2831(b), 2832) or
consortia of such boards in a region. Each workforce investment
board or consortia of boards receiving grant funds shall represent a
local or regional public-private partnership consisting of at
least--
(I) One workforce investment board;
(II) One community-based organization or higher education
institution or labor union; and
(III) One business or business-related non-profit organization
such as a trade association: Provided, That the activities of such
local or regional public-private partnership described in this
subsection shall be conducted in coordination with the activities of
the relevant local workforce investment board or boards established
under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2832); and
(ii) 25 percent of the grants under the Secretary of Labor's
authority to award grants for demonstration projects or programs
under section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act (29 U.S.C. 2916)
to partnerships that shall consist of at least 2 businesses or a
business-related nonprofit organization that represents more than
one business, and that may include any educational, labor, community
organization, or workforce investment board, except that such grant
funds may be used only to carry out a strategy that would otherwise
not be eligible for funds provided under clause (i), due to barriers
in meeting those partnership eligibility criteria, on a national,
multistate, regional, or rural area (such as rural telework
programs) basis. (emphasis added)
(B) DESIGNATION OF RESPONSIBLE FISCAL AGENTS.--Each partnership
formed under subparagraph (A) shall designate a responsible fiscal
agent to receive and disburse grant funds under this subsection.
(C) PARTNERSHIP CONSIDERATIONS.--Consideration in the awarding
of grants shall be given to any partnership that involves and
directly benefits more than one small business (each consisting of
100 employees or less).
(D) ALLOCATION OF GRANTS.--In making grants under this
paragraph, the Secretary shall make every effort to fairly
distribute grants across rural and urban areas, and across the
different geographic regions of the United States. The total amount
of grants awarded to carry out programs and projects described in
paragraph (1)(A) shall be allocated as follows:
(i) At least 80 percent of the grants shall be awarded to
programs and projects that train employed and unemployed workers in
skills in high technology, information technology, and
biotechnology, including skills needed for software and
communications services, telecommunications, systems installation
and integration, computers and communications hardware, advanced
manufacturing, health care technology, biotechnology and biomedical
research and manufacturing, and innovation services.
(ii) No more than 20 percent of the grants shall be available to
programs and projects that train employed and unemployed workers for
skills related to any single specialty occupation, as defined in
section 214(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1184(i)).
(3) START-UP FUNDS.--(A) IN GENERAL.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), not more than 5 percent of any single grant, or
not to exceed $75,000, whichever is less, may be used toward the
start-up costs of partnerships or new training programs and
projects.
(B) EXCEPTION.--In the case of partnerships consisting primarily
of small businesses, not more than 10 percent of any single grant,
or $150,000, whichever is less, may be used toward the start-up
costs of partnerships or new training programs and projects.
(C) DURATION OF START-UP PERIOD.--For purposes of this
subsection, a start-up period consists of a period of not more than
2 months after the grant period begins, at which time training shall
immediately begin and no further Federal funds may be used for
start-up purposes.
(4) TRAINING OUTCOMES.--(A) CONSIDERATION FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS
AND PROJECTS.--Consideration in the awarding of grants shall be
given to applicants that provide a specific, measurable commitment
upon successful completion of a training course, to--
(i) Hire or effectuate the hiring of unemployed trainees (where
applicable);
(ii) Increase the wages or salary of incumbent workers (where
applicable); and
(iii) Provide skill certifications to trainees or link the
training to industry-accepted occupational skill standards,
certificates, or licensing requirements.
(B) REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS.--Applications for
grants shall--
(i) Articulate the level of skills that workers will be trained
for and the manner by which attainment of those skills will be
measured;
(ii) Include an agreement that the program or project shall be
subject to evaluation by the Secretary of Labor to measure its
effectiveness; and
(iii) In the case of an application for a grant under subsection
(c)(2)(A)(ii), explain what barriers prevent the strategy from being
implemented through a grant made under subsection (c)(2)(A)(i).
(5) MATCHING FUNDS.--Each application for a grant to carry out a
program or project described in paragraph (1)(A) shall state the
manner by which the partnership will provide non-Federal matching
resources (cash, or in-kind contributions, or both) equal to at
least 50 percent of the total grant amount awarded under paragraph
(2)(A)(i), and at least 100 percent of the total grant amount
awarded under paragraph (2)(A)(ii). At least one-half of the non-
Federal matching funds shall be from the business or businesses or
business-related nonprofit organizations involved. Consideration in
the award of grants shall be given to applicants that provide a
specific commitment or commitments of resources from other public or
private sources, or both, so as to demonstrate the long-term
sustainability of the training program or project after the grant
expires.
(6) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.--An entity that receives a grant to
carry out a program or project described in paragraph (1)(A) may not
use more than 10 percent of the amount of the grant to pay for
administrative costs associated with the program or project.'' The
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)(section 101(a)(15)( H)(i)(b),
8 U.S.C.
[[Page 64867]]
11011(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)) defines the H-1B alien as one who is coming
temporarily to the United States to perform services in a specialty
occupation or as a fashion model.
The IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALIZATION ACT (Section 214(i)) 8
U.S.C. 1184(i) defines the term ``specialty occupation'' as:
(1)(A) Theoretical and practical application of a body of highly
specialized knowledge and,
(B) Attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific
specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the
occupation in the United States
(2) For purposes of section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)), the
requirements of this paragraph with respect to a specialty
occupation are--
(A) Full state licensure to practice in the occupation, if such
licensure is required to practice in the occupation.
(B) Completion of the degree described in paragraph (1)(B) for
the occupation, or
(C)(i) Experience in the specialty equivalent to the completion
of such degree, and (ii) recognition of expertise in the specialty
through progressively responsible positions relating to the
specialty.
The WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT defines training services (Sec
134(d)(4)(D), 29 U.S.C. 2864(d)(4)(D)
(D) TRAINING SERVICES --Training services may include--
(i) Occupational skills training, including training for
nontraditional employment;
(ii) On-the-job training;
(iii) Programs that combine workplace training with related
instruction, which may include cooperative education programs;
(iv) Training programs operated by the private sector;
(v) Skill upgrading and retraining;
(vi) Entrepreneurial training;
(vii) Job readiness training;
(viii) Adult education and literacy activities provided in
combination with services described in any of clauses (i) through
(vii); and
(ix) Customized training conducted with a commitment by an
employer or group of employers to employ an individual upon
successful completion of the training.
WIA prohibits discrimination against certain non-citizens in the
provision of services, including the demonstration grant program
under which this program is conducted. (Sec 188(a)(5), 29 U.S.C.
2938(a)(5):
Participation in programs and activities or receiving funds
under this title shall be available to citizens and nationals of the
United States, lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens,
refugees, asylees, and parolees, and other immigrants authorized by
the Attorney General to work in the United States.
WIA also specifies that participants comply with the Military
Selective Service Act. (Sec. 189, (h), 29 U.S.C. 2939):
The Secretary shall ensure that each individual participating in
any program or activity established under this title (Title I of the
Workforce Investment Act), or receiving any assistance or benefit
under this title, has not violated section 3 of the Military
Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 453) by not presenting and
submitting to registration as required pursuant to such section. The
Director of the Selective Service System shall cooperate with the
Secretary to enable the Secretary to carry out this subsection.
Appendix B
H-1B Program--Summary Data FY '92-FY '00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of LCA's Number of job
\1\ certified openings
certified \2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY '92................................ 43,808 120,776
FY '93................................ 62,285 (+42.2%) 127,652 (+5.7%)
FY '94................................ 84,898 (+36.3%) 270,014
(+111.5%)
FY '95................................ 97,040 (+14.3%) 312,563
(+15.8%)
FY '96................................ 120,512 246,725 (-
(+24.2%) 21.1%)
FY '97................................ 162,363 398,324
(+34.7%) (+61.4%)
FY '98................................ 208,156 591,635
(+28.2%) (+48.5%)
FY '99................................ 275,244 1,207,874
(+32.2%) (+104.2%)
FY '00................................ 332,545 1,187,053 (-
(+10.1%) 1.7%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Labor Certified Applicants.
\2\ Note that while there is generally a 195,000 limit on the number of
visas which may be issued each fiscal year, there is no corresponding
limit on the number of job openings which may be certified by the
Department.
Top 10 Occupational Classifications in FY '00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
openings Percent
certified of total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Computer-related \3\........................... 852,657 71.8
2. Accountants/Auditors........................... 46,375 3.9
3. Electrical/Electron Eng........................ 41,071 3.5
4. Other Architecture, Engineering & Surveying.... 26,634 2.2
5. College/University Faculty..................... 18,164 1.5
6. Miscellaneous Managers......................... 16,990 1.4
7. Budget & Management System Analyst............. 15,117 1.3
8. Physicians & Surgeons.......................... 13,700 1.2
9. Mis. Professional, Tech. & Manag. Occ.......... 13,426 1.1
10. Economists.................................... 13,171 1.1
---------------------
Total Top 10.................................. 1,057,305 89.1
Other Occupations............................. 129,748 10.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Occupations in: Systems Analysis/Programming; Computer Systems
Technical Support, Data Communications and Networks; Computer System
User Support; and other Computer-related.
[[Page 64868]]
Top 10 Occupational Classifications in FY '99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
openings Percent
certified of total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Computer-related............................... 579,631 48.0
2. Therapists..................................... 311,411 25.8
3. Accountants/Auditors........................... 58,831 4.9
4. Other Administrative........................... 38,320 3.2
5. Electrical/Electron Eng........................ 26,947 2.2
6. Other Architecture, Engineering & Surveying.... 19,404 1.6
7. Physicians & Surgeons.......................... 16,695 1.4
8. College/University Faculty..................... 14,962 1.2
9. Mis. Managers and Officials.................... 13,048 1.1
10. Mis. Professional, Tech. & Mana. Occ.......... 11,636 1.0
---------------------
Total Top 10.................................. 1,090,885 90.3
Other Occupations................................. 116,989 9.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top 10 Occupational Classifications in FY '98
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
openings Percent
certified of Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Computer-related............................... 340,231 57.5
2. Therapists..................................... 80,605 13.6
3. Accountants/Auditors........................... 42,713 7.2
4. Electrical/Electron Eng........................ 16,640 2.8
5. Other Architecture, Engineering & Surveying.... 8,605 1.5
6. Physicians/Surgeons............................ 7,941 1.3
7. Mis. Professional, Tech. & Mana. Occ........... 7,827 1.3
8. College/University Faculty..................... 7,721 1.3
9. Mechanical Engineers........................... 5,994 1.0
10. Economist..................................... 5,343 0.9
---------------------
Total Top 10.................................. 523,620 88.5
Other Occupations................................. 68,015 11.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top 10 Occupational Classifications in FY '97
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Percent
openings of
certified Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Computer related................................. 177,034 44.4
2. Therapists....................................... 103,097 25.9
3. Electrical/Electron Eng.......................... 12,366 3.1
4. Accountants/Auditors............................. 9,865 2.5
5. University Faculty............................... 8,052 2.0
6. Physicians/Surgeons.............................. 7,360 1.8
7. Other Architecture, Engineering & Surveying...... 6,488 1.6
8. Mechanical Engineers............................. 5,585 1.4
9. Miscellaneous Occup.............................. 5,427 1.4
10. Economists...................................... 4,677 1.1
-------------------
Total Top 10.................................... 335,057 84.1
Other Occupations................................... 63,267 15.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top 10 Occupational Classifications in FY '96
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
openings Percent
certified of Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Computer-related............................... 102,422 41.5
2. Therapists..................................... 48,154 19.5
3. Other Medicine/Health.......................... 12,010 4.9
4. College/University Faculty..................... 7,070 2.9
5. Registered Nurses.............................. 6,117 2.5
6. Accountants/Auditors........................... 6,040 2.4
7. Physicians/Surgeons............................ 5,796 2.3
8. Miscellaneous Occup............................ 4,389 1.8
9. Mechanical Engineering......................... 4,112 1.7
Other Architecture, Engineering & Surveying....... 3,774 1.5
---------------------
Total Top 10.................................. 199,884 81.0
Other Occupations................................. 46,841 19.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top 10 Occupational Classifications in FY '95
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
openings Percent
Certified of Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Therapists..................................... 167,209 53.5
2. Computer-related............................... 79,921 25.6
3. College/University Faculty..................... 6,478 2.1
4. Physicians/Surgeons............................ 5,629 1.8
5. Accountants/Auditors........................... 4,757 1.5
6. Miscellaneous Occup............................ 3,703 1.2
7. Other Medicine/Health.......................... 3,345 1.1
8. Other Architecture, Engineering & Surveying.... 3,318 1.1
9. Mechanical Engineering......................... 3,149 1.0
10. Biological Sciences........................... 2,710 .9
---------------------
Total Top 10.................................. 280,219 89.7
Other Occupations................................. 32,344 10.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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