Announcing Virginia’s
APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAYS PROGRAM FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTERS
Supporting Career Pathways for Virginia’s Youth.
Funds Available:
$250,000 for tools, equipment, and supplies in public school Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers
Applications are
now closed.
Are you ready to equip the next generation of skilled workers in Virginia and build our future workforce? Apply now for your chance to receive up to $10,000 to support hands-on learning experiences in schools!
Virginia Works is launching a competitive grant program to support the creation of quality youth-focused Registered Apprenticeship programs and equip public secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers with the tools they need to succeed.
Public secondary school CTE centers who partner with employers eager to expand their apprenticeship pipeline can receive up to $10,000 in reimbursed costs per center to support the purchase of equipment, training materials, and tools. Particular priority will be given to schools in rural and underfunded areas.
Check out our FAQs below and be sure to review the application below for more guidance. Want to know more about youth-focused Registered Apprenticeship? Clink the link below to explore.
Eligibility
All public school districts are eligible to apply, with priority given to rural and underfunded areas.
Total Funding Available
Public secondary school CTE centers can receive up to $10,000 for equipment, tools, and training materials.
Application Period
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
The application period was October 8, 2025 – October 22, 20205 by 5:00 PM
Period of Performance
November 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026
Selection Criteria
CTE centers must identify a minimum of two new employer sponsors for Youth Registered Apprenticeship or Registered Apprenticeship who will sign up five new apprentices.
Priority will be given to CTE centers in rural and underfunded areas, and applications are scored on the basis of need for the equipment and materials requested along with other considerations outlined in the application guidelines.
FAQS
When will awards be announced?
We estimate the awards will be announced in early to mid-November.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/15/25
If I am unable to combine my documents due to technical difficulty, can I still submit an application?
Due to the technical difficulty, you may submit the application in separate documents to this email address.
Updated 4:05 PM, 10/22/25
Is there a form for the proposal narrative?
There is no specific form for the proposal narrative. Please follow the narrative elements guidance outlined on the “Request for Proposal” to ensure that you have all included elements.
Updated 2:05 PM, 10/22/25
Do youth that are served through this opportunity have to be co-enrolled in WIOA?
No. Youth/individuals benefitting from this grant opportunity this opportunity do not have to be co-enrolled in WIOA.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/22/25
How much data and paperwork needs to be captured regarding youth served through this opportunity?
Virginia Works requires the recipients of this award provide minimal, individual level information on each youth/individual benefitting from this grant opportunity to be collected and reported. Employers that are identified in this opportunity must adhere to all current Registered Apprenticeship requirements and guidelines.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/22/25
How do we fill in the block WIOA Title I State Set Aside Budget Item? We do not currently utilize any WIOA funds for our program, so would this be $0?
This opportunity is funded by WIOA Title I State set aside budget. Under column two, please identify each budget item that will be requested for reimbursement from the award funded by WIOA Title I State Set Aside Budget. Please enter amounts requested for each item in column three and a description of each item in column four.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/22/25
I am a job seeker who would like to get involved in these opportunities.
These opportunities are targeted at Employers. If you are a job seeker, please explore some of the following resources:
- Visit/contact your Local Workforce Center for in-person assistance: https://virginiaworks.gov/locations/
- Register with Virginia Workforce Connection: https://vawc.virginia.gov/vosnet/default.aspx
- Find a Job Fair near you: https://virginiaworks.gov/job-fairs/
- Learn about regional and industry specific opportunities: https://virginiahasjobs.com/
- Resources for impacted Federal Workers: https://virginiaworks.gov/resources-for-impacted-federal-workers/
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/22/25
I would like to request an extension to submit the grant application.
No extensions will be provided. Any changes to the grant opportunities will be updated via website.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/22/25
Can I call you about this grant opportunity and the access to WIOA dollars and the disbursement of finds?
Please submit all Questions via email. Q&As will be posted for all applicants to review.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/22/25
What are the key metrics the state will be using to evaluate performance?
Performance will, at minimum, be evaluated by the milestones identified in each individual project plan, and through the achievement of requirements and outcomes identified in the Request for Application.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/22/25
Is there any allowability for admin costs in the budget given the need to manage both financial and performance reporting?
No. There is no allowability for administration costs.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/21/25
We have identified 2 employers but have not gotten students and businesses signed up yet. Can we still apply for the grant while we are waiting on confirmation?
We welcome you to apply. Please keep in mind that applicants must provide confirmation of employers willing to become sponsors.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/21/25
What qualifies as high-demand jobs to enable our program to qualify?
Please refer to our high-demand occupation dashboard found here.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/21/25
Do I need to fully register my entity on SAM.gov to get a qualifying UEI number?
No. While a UEI number is required to qualify for reimbursement, full registration on SAM.gov is not required for this opportunity.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/20/25
I am an individual who is interested in becoming a Registered Apprentice, how can I become involved?
Registered Apprenticeship is employer driven, meaning you must be hired by an employer sponsor before you can be officially registered as an apprentice. You can use our tool here to search for potential Registered Apprenticeship sponsors. If you have further questions, use our tool here to connect with your Registered Apprenticeship Consultant.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/17/25
What do I need to include in my application?
As defined by the Request for Application, the following elements must be included for your application to be considered:
- Signature Page (a completed signature page will satisfy the Certification and Assurances requirement)
- Narrative Element B1
- Narrative Element B2
- Narrative Element B3
- Narrative Element B4 (budget narrative and line-item budget)
Please refer to the Request for Application for further detail on each required element.
The completed application should be submitted in a single pdf document to grantapplications@virginiaworks.gov.The application must arrive by 5 PM ET on October 22, 2025.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/17/25
How can I find my UEI number?
You may visit SAM.gov to receive a UEI number.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/17/25
Will the government shutdown impact my ability to get a UEI number for this application?
We understand that the current government shutdown may hinder your ability to obtain a UEI number. You are still welcome to submit a proposal, however, please remember that to be eligible for reimbursements, applicants must have a UEI number.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/17/25
I already have a UEI number, do I need to apply for a new one for this opportunity?
An active and existing UEI number may be used for the purposes of this application.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/17/25
What form should the “Certification and Assurances statement” take in my application?
The Certification and Assurances statement can be found on the signature page (page 2) of the Request for Application. Successful completion of the signature page will fulfil the Certification and Assurances requirement.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/17/25
Is there a list of qualifying expenditures and cash?
There is no list of qualifying expenditures and cash. You may reference the Allowable Uses of Funds section found in the Request for Applications for guidance. If there is a more specific question regarding a particular item, please clarify and resubmit the question.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/17/25
Are indirect costs an allowable expense?
No. Indirect costs are not an allowable expense under this funding opportunity.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/16/25
Is my school district still eligible even if we are not on the provided rural/low-income school district list?
Yes. If you are a public K-12 school district in located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you are eligible for this grant. Priority is given to those rural and low-income school districts provided on Attachment A of the Request for Application, but these is no disqualification for not being represented on the list.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/16/25
Can I partner with current sponsors?
No. Part of this grant is to expand registered apprenticeship opportunities by engaging new employer partners.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/16/25
How many Youth Registered Apprentices do I need to have?
You will need at least two new employers to become sponsors of registered apprenticeship with a combined total of at least 5 new Youth Registered Apprentices.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/16/25
What is the source of funding for this grant?
The source of funding for this opportunity is WIOA Title I funds that the state receives from the federal government. There is no requirement for a match with this funding opportunity. The period of performance for this opportunity is November 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/16/25
Can an organization, that is an employer in the Commonwealth of Virginia, apply on behalf of another employer, to receive the grant?
No. The applicant cannot be a third-party entity, the applicant must be the employer that is conducting the required grant activities first-hand.
Updated 1:00 PM, 10/15/25
How do I register/apply for funding?
Click the APPLY HERE button above.
How do I confirm my registration/application?
All questions about the application process can be sent to Virgina Works at grantapplications@virginiaworks.gov
Can I use this funding to support training for individuals already enrolled in our youth or pre-apprenticeship program?
No, this funding is focused on supporting new apprentices.
Is there a cap on funds?
Yes. Each CTE center may receive up to $10,000 in reimbursed costs.
How do I learn about Registered Apprenticeship Programs?
Check out our page on Registered Apprenticeships here. Also, check out this instructional video and more helpful resources on our YouTube Channel.
View a recording of our Q&A session from October 14th, 2025.
Find it on our YouTube channel here.
Virginia Works is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Department of Workforce Development and Advancement | Virginia Works is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – Employment and Training Administration (ETA) through the use of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Award FAIN # 25A55AT000120, 25A55AW000121, 25A55AY000162) totaling $16,310,210. The dollar amount of Federal funds for this project equal $ 250,000, which constitutes 100 percent of the project cost. Zero costs and zero percent of this project were financed by non-governmental source.
We are committed to fostering partnerships that drive innovation and job creation.