Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development (OOWD) is offering incentive grants to develop new registered apprenticeship programs.

The Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development (OOWD) believes that registered apprenticeship serves as a crucial tool for employers to build their own talent pipelines and creates high-wage, in-demand job opportunities for Oklahomans.

Research suggests more than 70 percent of jobs in Oklahoma will require some kind of education or training beyond high school in the next ten years, but only 42 percent of our current workforce meet that demand.1 To address this skills gap, employers across all industries are increasingly turning to registered apprenticeship as a workforce development solution.

Single employers are eligible for grants up to $10,000; a consortium of 2-3 employers is eligible for up to $15,000; and grantees who apply as a consortium of 4 or more are eligible for up to $20,000. Additionally, OOWD has specified the number of apprentices an employer must employ within one year of receiving funding: 2 apprentices for a single employer and 5 apprentices for a consortium.

Additional information on applying for this grant can be found in the funding announcement. Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Please contact wbl@okcommerce.gov with questions or for assistance.