January 31, 2006
SUBJECT: Authorization for NOVA to Apply for Funding Through Microsoft Corporation One-Stop Career Center Initiative
REPORT IN BRIEF
Microsoft Corporation has issued a solicitation for grant applications to a pre-selected group of workforce investment boards across the U.S. with the goal of engaging these organizations in a program to support information technology skills training. Staff recommends that the Sunnyvale City Council, on behalf of the seven NOVA consortium cities, authorize the submission of a grant proposal for information technology skills training not to exceed $150,000.
BACKGROUND
Microsoft Corporation is working to provide information technology (IT) skills training, tools, and guidance to help people discover what technology can do for them and what they can do with technology. To help focus its efforts, Microsoft created the Unlimited Potential (UP) program, which is dedicated to using technology training to create social and economic opportunities that can change lives and strengthen local economies. The UP program provides a range of resources to support this mission, including cash grants for IT skills training, software donations, and an IT skills training curriculum.
Microsoft has announced the availability of funds aimed at the nation’s workforce investment system. The goal of this program is to extend the benefits of IT skills training to both job seekers in the public workforce system and to employers who require workers with these skills. Microsoft will invest up to $1 million through this first solicitation, with a second round of $1 million available in the spring. It is anticipated that eight to ten workforce investment boards will be selected for the initial grants, which will range from $50,000 to $150,000, depending on scope and impact.
EXISTING POLICY
The proposed activities are consistent with the City of Sunnyvale's Socio-Economic Goal 5.1F: Provide job training and employment services within constraints of operative, federal regulations and available federal funding, to address the locally-determined employment and training needs of economically disadvantaged residents and others with special needs.
DISCUSSION
Based on having strong leadership and organization capacity, NOVA is among a small group of workforce investment boards that have been pre-selected to apply for funding through Microsoft’s One-Stop Career Center Initiative. Microsoft hopes that this program will enable the selected one-stops to increase their capacity to provide IT skills training to adults with barriers to work due, at least in part, to IT skill deficiencies. Another goal is to serve the needs of employers by increasing the pool of workers with a command of critical IT skills.
The Microsoft funding will support employment and training of instructors, tracking to measure program impact, outreach to potential participants, and limited project management. Individuals served through the grant must be eligible for the Workforce Investment Act (but do not need to be enrolled in WIA). Microsoft is also making available through donation its Unlimited Potential curriculum, which includes eight courses on various computer fundamentals. Grantees may also access at no cost a new online Microsoft curriculum, Digital Literacy, aimed at novice computer learners.
NOVA plans to target young adults through age 24 with this funding, with a particular focus on emancipated foster youth and pregnant/parenting young people. However, we will also open the program to other individuals referred by CONNECT! partners as being in need of IT skills training in order to be competitive in the job market. The grant would cover one year of activity beginning in March 2006. Reporting on outcomes and responses to evaluation requests will continue for an additional 12 months. Microsoft plans to evaluate the program in terms of both the process to implement it as well as its outcomes. NOVA’s proposed goals will include: individuals recruited, total participants, participants improving IT skills (based on assessment) and completing courses, participants obtaining Microsoft Office Suite certification, and a measure of employer satisfaction with participants’ IT skills.
An important element of the solicitation is that of sustainability, as the grant is intended to serve as seed funding. NOVA feels that once the curriculum and trained staff are in place, the cost of continuing the program will be minimal. In addition, we plan to offer the training and provide the curriculum to staff from the CONNECT! one-stop collaborative so that they may utilize it within their own organizations.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact to the City because funds received will offset program expenditures.
CONCLUSION
Microsoft Corporation has issued a solicitation for grant applications to pre-selected workforce investment boards for the purpose of extending the benefits of IT skills training to both job seekers and employers. NOVA seeks authority to apply for up to $150,000 in grant funding for one year to provide IT training to adults in need of such training.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page and the availability of the report in the Library and City Clerk's Office.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Council approves submission of a grant application to Microsoft Corporation not to exceed $150,000 to provide information technology skills training.
2. Council rejects submission of the application.
3. Other action as determined by Council.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by staff that the Sunnyvale City Council, on behalf of the NOVA seven-city consortium, adopt Alternative 1: Council authorizes submission of a grant application to Microsoft Corporation not to exceed $150,000 to provide information technology skills training.
Reviewed by:
Michael J. Curran, Director
Department of Employment Development
Prepared by: Jeanette Langdell
Employment Training Manager
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager