ADVOCACY & POLICY UPDATE - October 24th, 2022

NSF Launches New Technology Initiative

Washington Update

DOL Training and Employment Notice

On Friday, October 21, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) released the Training and Employment Notice (TEN) Building Pathways to Infrastructure Careers: Framework for Preparing an Infrastructure Workforce. The purpose of this TEN is to promote a framework for all workforce stakeholders, including infrastructure project leads, to engage the public workforce system in implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with strong workforce commitments and proven strategies that produce high-quality education, training, and employment opportunities for all workers.

Click here to access the TEN.

NSF ExLENT Program

On October 19th, 2022 the National Science Foundation (NSF) launched its new $30 million Experiential Learning in Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program. This initiative aims to expand practical learning opportunities for individuals interested in entering or gaining more experience in novel technology areas such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information science, and semiconductors and microelectronics. Participating organizations will provide experiential learning opportunities that open new doors for individuals from diverse professional and educational backgrounds.

Participating organizations could receive up to $1 million per award for up to 3 years. The deadline to submit your proposals is March 2nd, 2022. If you are interested in learning more about this funding opportunity and how to submit your proposals, NSF will be hosting a one-hour virtual informational session on Tuesday, November 1st. Click the link below to register.

Click here to register for the ExLENT program informational session.

Click here to learn more about the ExLENT program.

Click here to read NSF’s program announcement.

If you have any questions please contact Rebbeca Shearman (rshearma@nsf.gov), Korie Grayson (kgrayson@nsf.gov), or the program’s general mailbox (exlent@nsf.gov).

Initial Jobless Rate

In the week ending October 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 214,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 2,000 from 228,000 to 226,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,250, an increase of 1,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 500 from 211,500 to 211,000. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.0 percent for the week ending October 8, an increase of 0.1 percentage points from the previous week's revised rate.

Click here to access the report.