Government Programs: We prioritize these programs and offers ways to better utilize these resources, connect industry employers who aren’t currently aware or participating, and raise the profile of these activities. Many government programs offer partnering opportunities for us to build the pipeline of workers needed for the information economy:

a)   National Science Foundation (NSF): NSF supports research and education in science and engineering through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, and other research and/or education institutions.  

b)   U.S. Department of Labor (DOL):   We offer our ESPA Certified-EST^® program to the individuals served by the large focused programs (Youth Services, Adult Services and Dislocated Worker) and specific grant activities (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED), Presidents High Growth Job Training Initiative (HGJTI), Community-Based Job Training Grants (CBJTG), Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).  

c)   U.S. Department of Education: We can help our nation’s educators through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act. Thousands of comprehensive high schools, vocational and technical high schools, area vocational centers, and community colleges offer CTE programs. Virtually every high school student takes at least one CTE course, and one in four students take three or more courses in a single program area. One-third of college students are involved in CTE programs, and as many as 40 million adults engage in short-term post-secondary occupational training.

d)   U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Whether they have worked on ships, planes, or tanks, those with electronics skills are in high demand for a career in the electronics industry.   We look forward to helping those that have put their country first with opportunities to return to jobs back home.   The Montgomery GI Bill provides Veterans (Active Duty and Reserve) with GI Bill payments for:

·          Licensing and certification (up to $2000 per exam, pass or fail)

·          High cost/high tech courses (up to 60% of the charges may be reimbursed)

·          CTE programs that lead to a degree or certificate

·          Independent study such as online or Internet training

·          Attending classes that lead to a college degree like an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate Degree

·          Correspondence training (55% of approved costs)

·          Reimbursed on-the job (OTJ) or apprenticeship training  

NGO & Foundation Partners: ESPA is an attractive industry-sponsored program that can offer opportunities to those served by NGOs.  

a)      Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG), SkillsUSA, and YouthBuild are just three examples of programs throughout the country looking for credible partners and innovative industry-accepted training methods.  We look forward to talking to these and other organizations on how working together can help serve the best interests of those looking to enter the 21^st century workforce.

b)     Foundations: Many corporate, philanthropic, and educational organizations have dedicated tremendous amounts of time and resources trying to help improve our schools and employment opportunities for our citizens.   ESPA is certainly not a silver bullet for all the challenges America faces, but we can help many existing programs and those on the horizon by integrating a skills-based credential that offers hope, a job, and a career to many of those who are looking for 21^st century opportunities.