National Laboratory Jobs Apprenticeship for Complete and Committed Employment for Specialized Skills

The ACCESS Program is a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program that–
1) leads to recognized postsecondary credentials for secondary school and postsecondary students;
2) is focused on skills and qualifications needed, as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Directors of the National Laboratories, to meet the immediate and ongoing needs of traditional and emerging technician positions (including machinists and cybersecurity technicians) at the National Laboratories and covered facilities of the National Nuclear Security Administration;
3) is established in consultation with a National Laboratory or covered facility of the National Nuclear Security Administration;
4) is registered with and approved by the Secretary of Labor or a State apprentice agency; and
5) ensures that participants in the pre-apprenticeship program or apprenticeship program do not displace paid employees.

An eligible entity is a workforce intermediary or an eligible sponsor of a pre-apprenticeship program or apprenticeship program that:
(1) demonstrates experience in implementing and providing career planning and career pathways toward pre-apprenticeship programs or apprenticeship programs;
(2)(A) has a relationship with a National Laboratory or
covered facility of the National Nuclear Security Administration;
(B) has knowledge of the technician workforce needs of
the laboratory or facility and the associated security requirements of the laboratory or facility; and
(C) is eligible to enter into an agreement with the laboratory or facility that would be paid for in part or entirely from grant funds received under this section;
(3) demonstrates the ability to recruit and support individuals who plan to work in relevant technician positions upon the successful completion of the pre-apprenticeship program or apprenticeship program;
(4) provides students who complete the pre-apprenticeship
program or apprenticeship program with, or prepares such
students for obtaining, a recognized postsecondary credential;
(5) uses related instruction that is specifically aligned with
the needs of the laboratory or facility and utilizes workplace learning advisors and on-the-job training to the greatest extent possible; and
(6) demonstrates successful outcomes connecting graduates of the pre-apprenticeship program or apprenticeship program to careers relevant to the program.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.
Proposals should be submitted as specified in the funding opportunity announcement posted at http://www.grants.gov/.

Applications will receive an administrative screening to determine if they are complete and in compliance with the terms of the solicitation. Proposals will be reviewed based on merit review criteria posted in the solicitation. Selection decisions are made by a Headquarters program official within the Program Office. Selected proposals will be forwarded to the NNSA Office of Partnership and Aquisition Services (PAS) for grant development, negotiation, and award.