Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulations.
The federal Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) provides funding for employment and training programs. The Department, with the approval of the Council on Workforce Investment, provides grant allocations to 11 regional workforce development boards, which fund and supervise local programs. Programs for employment placement/retention, job training, and education-related training programs are delivered through Wisconsin Job Centers.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states.
Illinois. The Industrial Development Assistance Law allows local school districts and community colleges to apply for and receive grants under Act 100-0679 for the acquisition of land, construction of facilities, and purchase of equipment, dedicated solely to the instruction of occupations in manufacturing.
Iowa. The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) uses apprenticeship training program funds to support grants to Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors – which are typically employers, labor management partnerships, or industry associations to subsidize the cost of RAP. Such costs included related classroom instruction, purchasing equipment for the apprenticeship program, and establishing new locations to expand apprenticeship training.
Michigan. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) in 2018 awarded $5 million in grants to 14 districts and intermediate districts to purchase specialized equipment and expand programs as part of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Innovation and Equipment Grants. These grants allow districts to obtain equipment to expand career and technical education programs in manufacturing with an emphasis on mechatronics, computer numerical control machining, and welding.
Minnesota. The Partnership Program allows Minnesota participating businesses to partner with an accredited Minnesota educational institutions to develop and deliver custom training specific to business needs. Grants up to $400,000 are available for training related costs such as curriculum development, instruction, training materials and supplies, training equipment, and instructor travel.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies.
The rules for the standard Wisconsin Fast Forward grant program under Wis. Admin. Code ch. DWD 801 were reviewed as part of the process for developing this proposed rule. No other data or analysis was needed. Development of this rule did not involve the gathering, analysis, or use of data. Therefore, Wis. Stat. s. 227.14(2m) does not apply to this rulemaking. Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of an economic impact analysis.
The proposed rule will have no significant economic impact on small businesses as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. Anticipated costs incurred by private sector: Not Applicable.
Effect on small business: The proposed rule will have no significant economic effect on small businesses as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. Agency contact person.
Questions and comments related to this rule may be directed to:
Steve Laesch, Assistant Administrator for the Division of Employment Training
Department of Workforce Development
Division of Employment Training
P.O. Box 7972
Madison, WI 53707
Telephone: (608) 261-6385
Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission.
Steve Laesch, Assistant Administrator for the Division of Employment Training
Department of Workforce Development
Division of Employment Training
P.O. Box 7972
Madison, WI 53707
Telephone: (608) 261-6385
Hearing comments will be accepted until the last scheduled hearing is conducted. The Department will hold a hearing in conjunction with the permanent rule hearing.
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SECTION 1. Chapter DWD 802 is created to read: Technical Education Equipment Grants
DWD 802.01 Authority and purpose.
DWD 802.02 Applicability.
DWD 802.03 Definitions.
DWD 802.04 Application.
DWD 802.05 Grant awards.
DWD 802.06 Match requirement.
DWD 802.07 Use of grant funds.
DWD 802.08 Amount of grants.
DWD 802.09 Reporting requirements.
DWD 802.01 Authority and purpose. This chapter is created to establish the rules for administering and awarding technical education equipment grants to school districts in this state, as authorized under s. 106.275, Stats. DWD 802.02 Applicability. This chapter applies to the department, applicants for grants, and school districts in this state that are awarded grants for technical education equipment under s. 106.275, Stats. DWD 802.03 Definitions. In this chapter:
(1) “Applicant” means a school district in this state that applies to the department for a grant.
(2) “Department” means the department of workforce development.
(3) “Grant” means an agreement between the department and the grantee whereby the department provides funds from the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (cg), Stats., for the purposes specified in s. 106.275 (1) (b), Stats. (4) “Grantee” means a school district awarded a grant by the department.
(5) “Grant Program Announcement” or “GPA” means a document that describes the grant program under this chapter, invites applications for a grant, specifies who may apply, and establishes application procedures, criteria for awarding grants, and conditions and restrictions that accompany grants.
DWD 802.04 Application. (1) PROCEDURE. The department shall solicit applications for grants by preparing one or more GPAs, publishing a notice of the availability of each GPA on the department’s website, and distributing copies of the GPA on request. An applicant shall apply for a grant on an application form included in the GPA by the date specified in the GPA and in accordance with the procedures and requirements specified in the GPA.
(2) CONTENTS. An applicant for a grant shall describe all of the following:
(a) The purpose and need for the grant.
(b) The projected outcomes that the applicant is seeking to achieve as a result of receiving the grant.
(c) The amount, form, and source of the matching funds required under s. DWD 802.06. (d) Any other information required in the GPA.
DWD 802.05 Grant awards. (1) PRELIMINARY REVIEW. The department shall review each application for compliance with the format and content specifications of s. DWD 802.04 (2) and the GPA. The department may deny any application that fails to meet any of those criteria. (2) EVALUATION CRITERIA. (a) The department shall evaluate grant applications that meet the criteria as specified in sub. (1) against criteria specified in s. DWD 802.04 (2) and established in the GPA. As specified in the GPA, the department shall assign points to each application signifying the degree to which the application meets each applicable criterion. The total points assigned to the application for all applicable criteria will be the score for the application. The department shall numerically rank each application for each GPA.
