United Indians of All Tribes Foundation (UIATF) Native Workforce Services Program has submitted a successful grant proposal to a new initiative with U.S. Department of Labor’s Building Pathways to Infrastructure Grant Program. UIATF is one of only 34 organizations in the United States, and the only organization in Washington, to receive this grant funding, according to the press release.
The Native Workforce Services Program at UIATF provides, job counseling, academic counseling and assistance, referrals and placement, and classroom training. The Native Workforce Services Program’s grant proposal was selected to begin a training program focused on professional, scientific, and technical service occupations relating to transportation infrastructure in the Puget Sound region. This program will coordinate with training providers, education institutions, labor unions, and employers to develop employment pathways for the Native community.
“Indigenous people are severely under representation in STEM and infrastructure sectors, but those pathways lead to thriving careers and stability,” says Kolbi Monasmith, Program Administrator for UIATF Native Workforce Services Program. “Our project aims to bridge the gaps between the Native community and these STEM careers and hopes to pave the way for future innovators.”
The Native Infrastructure Careers Education and Employment (NICE) Pathway program is particularly focused on transit and electrified transportation infrastructure projects. This program aims to grow Native representation in occupations such as software engineers and developers, electricians and power-line installers, industrial, electrical, civil, and mechanical engineers, machinists, and technicians. This grant program is being implemented as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund public-private partnerships to develop worker-centered training programs to meet the workforce needs of infrastructure projects across the United States.
To be eligible for the Native Workforce Services Program at UIATF, an individual must be a resident of King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties, over 18 years of age, member of a federally recognized tribe, unemployed or underemployed and meet U.S. Department of Labor income guidelines. To set up an intake, contact (425) 414-0051 to make an appointment and learn more here.
To support UIATF and the Native Workforce Services Program, donate here.