OSIT, through STEM Workforce Talent Pipeline Grants, seeks to strengthen partnerships between industry, secondary education, and postsecondary education and workforce development resulting in sustainable training programs that provide in-demand, industry-recognized STEM training, skills, and credentials to students and lead to full-time jobs in STEM industries. The overarching goals of the grant program are to:
- Increase the number of students that earn STEM industry-recognized credentials shortly after high school graduation leading to entry-level employment in high-skill, high-wage, in-demand STEM industry sectors;
- Create a seamless transition from high school to postsecondary education that leads to increased STEM credential attainment among all students, but especially those students from underrepresented groups;
- Create sustainable and scalable models of secondary + postsecondary + industry partnerships that create talent pipelines to meet the needs of industry within the region; and
- Create systemic change by improving partnerships between colleges, school districts, and regional employers.
Applicants were required to form a consortium made up of the following three entities: 1) a public high school or public school district, 2) a public or private postsecondary workforce development or education institution or provider, and 3) at least one employer. The consortium will work together to leverage their collective resources and those of the grant to develop a STEM Talent Pipeline. Employer partners are required to offer a job interview to each program completer.
More information on the structure of the program can be
found in the Request for Applications document linked below.
Grant Information
Blockchains, LLC received $278,309 to lead a consortium and create a pipeline to a career as a junior blockchain developer. The Washoe County School District, Clark County School District, Oasis Academy, Western Nevada College, and Nevada Technology Academy are partners in the consortium. The consortium will create a blockchain career and technical education (CTE) course of study which will be followed by a blockchain certificate program through Nevada Technology Academy, resulting in an industry-recognized certification. About 130 students each year will enroll in the blockchain CTE courses during the pilot phase and Blockchains will provide paid work experience for at least 10 following the completion of the CTE course sequence. Blockchains will interview each student that earns the industry-recognized certification.
Great Basin College (GBC) was awarded $162,435 to lead a consortium and create a Construction Technologies and HVAC pipeline program. The other partners in the consortium are the Elko County School District, Charles Chester Plumbing and Heating, and Ormaza Construction. The program will be housed at Elko High School and participating students can complete either the construction technologies or HVAC tracks, or both. Students that complete the program will earn National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) credentials along with their high school diploma. Employer partners have guaranteed job interviews to students that complete the program.
JOIN, Inc has been awarded $304,321 to lead a consortium and create a medical professions career development pipeline program for 11th and 12th grade students that will lead to industry-recognized credentials and employment in the following career fields: Surgical Technician, Critical Care Technician, Medical Assistant, and Patient Access Representative. Renown Health, Nevada State High School, the Lyon County School District, the Churchill County School District, and the Nevada System of Higher Education are also members of the consortium. An estimated 43 students will receive training and paid work experience through Renown Health during the pilot phase lasting through June 30, 2021. Students will be provided with training, paid work-based learning, interviews for completers, and job placement assistance.
Nevada Help Desk was awarded $339,455 to lead a consortium consisting of Nevada Help Desk, The Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR), McCarran Airport, Zappos, The Raiders, ECF Data, East Career Technical Academy, Professional Institute of Technology, and the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). The consortium will create a workforce pipeline for underrepresented high school seniors that results in one of the following industry-recognized credentials: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Certification, CompTia A+, or Certified Web Developer. Nevada Help Desk is a woman-owned and minority-owned business that specializes in providing workforce training to students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. An estimated 77 students will receive training during the pilot phase of the program lasting through June 30, 2021. Students will also be provided a work-based learning experience and job placement assistance. The industry partners have guaranteed job interviews to all students who complete the program.
Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) was awarded $359,450 to lead a consortium and create a pipeline to careers in advanced manufacturing. The Washoe County School District (WCSD) and Tesla are also members of the consortium. The program will take place at four WCSD high schools and result in an industry-recognized advanced manufacturing certificate. The program will enroll high school juniors and seniors, both those participating in a related career and technical education (CTE) program and those that are not. Approximately 60 students per cohort will receive training. Tesla will provide a work-based learning experience for students and has guaranteed a job interview to every students that completes the program.