A Registered Apprenticeship is an employer-driven, industry-recognized training model that combines paid on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction, a nationally recognized credential, and standards registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency; it differs from other training (e.g., short courses or non‑credited workforce programs) by requiring employer sponsorship, wage progression, competency-based benchmarks, and federal/state registration that ensures quality and protections for apprentices.
The Pay-for-Performance program ties incentive payments to measurable apprenticeship outcomes proposed by applicants and approved by ETA—typically counts of new apprentices or ‘‘cohort’’ increases and other performance metrics in the FOA; payments are made based on documented achievement of those targets during the cooperative agreement period (per‑apprentice payments or cohort-based milestones as described in the FOA).
Eligible applicants include a broad set of organizations: state agencies and territories; institutions of higher education (public and private); national industry groups and associations; labor‑management organizations; registered apprenticeship and workforce intermediary organizations; national economic development entities; consulting organizations; small businesses and for‑profits; nonprofits; and consortia led by eligible entities (see FOA for full details).
A cooperative agreement is a federal assistance award like a grant but anticipates substantial agency involvement—awardees implement the program while ETA provides technical direction, oversight, and collaboration during performance; awardees must follow FOA terms, reporting, monitoring, and coordination requirements beyond those for a standard grant.
No—this FOA states there is no cost‑sharing or matching requirement (cost sharing: No), though applicants must follow budget and allowable cost rules in the FOA and justify proposed incentive models and budgets.
It means the Department plans to award at least one cooperative agreement focused on shipbuilding and the defense industrial base only if a submitted application for that industry meets the FOAs quality criteria; if no applicant demonstrates sufficient quality or fit, DOL may not make that specific award.
Organizations apply electronically through Grants.gov using FOA-ETA-26-19 (Pay-for-Performance Incentive Payments Program); applications were due April 3, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET per the FOA, and ETA provided a four-year performance period for awards—selection and award timelines follow the FOA review process (see Grants.gov/opportunity page and FOA for review details and email questions to PfP_FOA-ETA-26-19@dol.gov).