Frequently Asked Questions

A “good job” is defined as a paid position of regular employment that aligns with the Good Jobs Principles. The Good Jobs Principles include jobs that ensure all workers are paid a stable, predictable living wage, receive basic benefits (e.g., paid leave, health insurance, retirement/savings plan), have safe working conditions, have the ability to form and join unions and engage in protected, concerted activity without fear of retaliation, and have equitable opportunities and tools to progress to future good jobs. ^*

^{*https://www.eda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/FY2024_GJC_Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdf}

No, there aren’t any fees that an applicant needs for training.

Skills Training Programs: Programs that train workers using high quality, competency-based curriculum to develop industry-specific skills needed for in-demand, good jobs and prepare workers for employment that provides career pathways after completion of the program. Good Jobs Challenge funding aims to support program participants that are placed into jobs by the end of the Good Jobs Challenge opportunity time period.

Labor Management Training Program: Programs that are sponsored or developed jointly by labor and management through collective bargaining in accordance with applicable law.

Consistent with Executive Order (EO) 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government; EO 14091, Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government; and EDA’s Equity Investment Priority, EDA expects projects to advance equity to underserved populations to the extent practicable. In this context, EDA is seeking projects that directly benefit:

1) one or more traditionally underserved populations, but not limited to women, Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders; or

2) underserved communities within geographies that have been systemically and/or systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic prosperity such as Tribal Lands, Persistent Poverty Counties, and rural areas with demonstrated, historical underservice. A more detailed definition of what constitutes an underserved population and a listing of persistent poverty counties may be found under the Equity heading here.

A successful project will articulate which populations or communities will benefit (as noted above and https://www.eda.gov/about/investment-priorities/) and include a plan for inclusive community engagement in the project and ensuring that the economic benefits of the project will be shared by all communities in the project region, including any underserved community. It should articulate the communities affected, barriers those communities may face in accessing benefits of the project, contemplated outreach efforts, and other planned steps to address identified barriers, as appropriate. Underserved communities could also include historically underserved populations and areas, communities of color, women, and other groups facing labor market barriers such as persons with disabilities, disconnected youth, individuals in recovery, individuals with past criminal records, including justice impacted and reentry participants, serving trainees participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and veterans and military spouses.