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
ROC Foundation was awarded $367,686.00, in consortium with High Sierra AHEC, TMCC, WNC, Churchill County School District, Washoe County School District Career Technical Education, Community Chest, Immunize Nevada, STEP2, Healthy Communities Coalition (Lyon and Storey Counties), The Children’s Cabinet and Community Health Alliance, will create and sustain a Community Health Worker Level 1 Certification Concurrent Program for high school students in Northwestern Nevada. Community Health Workers provide a variety of services, including: helping clients navigate healthcare and social services, determine eligibility and enroll individuals in health insurance plans, provide informal counseling, health screenings and referrals, educate clients of the proper use of the Emergency Room, and assist in accessing health related services. The CHW1 certificate is stackable, and the project will provide students will access to CHW2 after graduating high school. Students will access work-based learning experiences on site with employer partners (travel vouchers provided by ROC) or with the use of virtual reality provided by High Sierra AHEC. Program courses include CHW training, motivational interviewing, de-escalation, and compassion fatigue. ROC Foundation will act as program manager. High Sierra AHEC will teach the CHW courses. TMCC and WNC will provide 3 college credits for completers. Washoe and Churchill County School Districts will recruit students in their CTE programs. Immunize Nevada, STEP2, The Children’s Cabinet, Healthy Communities Coalition, Community Health Alliance and Community Chest will provide interviews and interactions with CHW employed in the field already.