Request for Proposals (RFP) Pathmaker Workforce Program

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) Pathmaker program is an employer-driven workforce development initiative designed to expand access to careers in two of the Commonwealth’s key industries, manufacturing and defense, and artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, while addressing critical employer skills and talent needs. Pathmaker supports short-term, industry-aligned training programs that prepare individuals—particularly those without significant industry experience or related higher education—for high-demand occupations in manufacturing and defense or AI and technology.

Pathmaker programs are developed in direct partnership with industry. Each program must have an employer partner demonstrating a direct hiring need and must incorporate Pathmaker Core Competencies, while allowing training providers to add skills and curriculum responsive to specific employer needs.

Funds will enable applicants to:

• Recruit individuals from low-income and underrepresented communities, individuals from federally recognized or state-acknowledged tribes within the Commonwealth
• Recruit individuals who do not have significant industry experience or related higher education
• Place individuals into open positions immediately upon completion of the program or within 3 months of completion of the program
• Create new and/or expand technical and job readiness training opportunities to provide the skills necessary to attain placement in life science occupations
• Develop and nurture new relationships with employers in the manufacturing and defense or AI and technology sectors to develop job placements and identify avenues for career growth
• Establish and grow wraparound and retention support services to address social and economic barriers and increase the likelihood of long-term career success

This program is not intended to:

• Train individuals for internship or apprenticeship positions
• Train individuals who will be below the age of 18 at the completion of the program
• Train individuals who are not eligible to work at the industry partner company

Planned training programs must cover the required *Pathmaker Core Competencies Checklist*, Funded training is generally designed to be completed in 8–12 weeks and 80–180 hours, creating an accelerated pathway from training to employment.

This solicitation supports two tracts: Manufacturing & Defense and AI & Technology. Applicants must select one of these tracks when they submit their application.

Applicants must have at least one industry partnership. Applicants can also bring together a Consortium of multiple industry partners with overlapping workforce needs for similar occupations, skills, and/or competencies.

As Pathmaker is a Skills Cabinet initiative, all funded applicants are required to contract with the MassHire workforce system to support outreach, recruitment, and participant data collection.

Applications will only be accepted through the MassTech’s online application portal, accessed via the program webpage.

Each training program proposal will be evaluated based on the cost per employment outcome. As a benchmark, we have established a planned investment target of **$10,000 per employment outcome** for budget-planning purposes.

Proposals will be reviewed and scored based on the following criteria (total **100** points):

• Program Design, Core Competencies & Delivery: 20
• Employer & Industry Engagement: 20
• Target Roles, Skills & Population: 15
• Recruitment, Student Supports & Job Readiness: 15
• Outcomes, Evaluation & Participant Tracking: 15
• Budget, Matching Funds & Sustainability: 15

Following execution of the Grant Agreement, funds will be provided via electronic fund transfer (EFT)–**60%** of total funding will be available immediately upon execution, with the remaining **40%** available on a reimbursement basis after all necessary receipts (for 100% of expended funds) and reports have been received and upon verification of those costs.

Administrative costs directly attributable to the program may be included, but cannot exceed **10%** of the budget.