877—20.4(15,87GA,HF2458) Program eligibility, application scoring, and awards.
	20.4(1) Program eligibility.
	a. 	To be considered for an award under this program, an apprenticeship program sponsor must meet the following eligibility requirements:
	(1)	The apprenticeship sponsor established a new eligible apprenticeable occupation or added an eligible apprenticeable occupation to the apprenticeship sponsor’s existing apprenticeship program in the calendar year prior to the application period.
	(2)	Twenty or fewer apprentices are registered in the existing apprenticeship program as of December 31 of the calendar year prior to the date the authority receives the apprenticeship sponsor’s application.
	(3)	More than 70 percent of the applicant’s apprentices are residents of Iowa, and the remainder of the applicant’s apprentices are residents of states contiguous to Iowa. In determining the number of apprentices in an applicant’s apprenticeship program, the authority may calculate the average number of apprentices in the program within the most recent two-year period.
	b. 	An apprenticeship sponsor receiving financial assistance under Iowa Code chapter 15B or section 15C.2 is ineligible for financial assistance under this chapter during the same fiscal year.
	20.4(2) Application scoring criteria. Applications for financial assistance under the program shall be reviewed and scored as described below. To be considered eligible for funding, an application must receive a minimum score of 65 out of a possible 100 points and meet all other eligibility criteria specified in these rules. If an applicant does not meet all eligibility requirements, the application will not be scored.
	a. 	Budget and costs. The extent to which the applicant’s budget and estimated or real program costs are based on industry standards for the eligible occupation. (maximum 30 points)
	b. 	Application of financial assistance. The applicant has provided specific details regarding the use of funding and how it will be applied. (maximum 30 points)
	c. 	Local support. The applicant has provided documentation of local support from area partners, such as schools, local government entities, and other employers that may benefit from the apprenticeship program. (maximum 10 points)
	d. 	Additional funding. The authority will take into consideration sources of funding for establishing an apprenticeable occupation. Scores will be based on whether the source of funding is public or private, whether the funding is repayable, and the proportion of internal funding to funding from other sources. Higher scores will be awarded if the source of funding is a private entity, if the funding is repayable, and if the amount of internal funding is more than 50 percent of funding needed to establish the apprenticeable occupation. (maximum 10 points)
	e. 	Certification of worker safety. The applicant has not violated state or federal statutes, rules or regulations, including environmental and worker safety regulations, or if such violations have occurred, the violations have been addressed and mitigated. (maximum 10 points)
	f. 	Certification of employment at an Iowa work site. The applicant has certified that the apprentices identified by their U.S. Department of Labor identification numbers and represented in the application are registered with the applying sponsor or lead sponsor’s registered apprenticeship program and that each apprentice listed worked some time in Iowa during the prior calendar year. (maximum 10 points)
	20.4(3) Financial assistance awards. The director will make final funding decisions after considering the recommendations of staff. Successful applicants will be notified in writing of an award of financial assistance, including the conditions and terms of approval.
	a. 	Disbursement of funds. The authority will disburse funds to a successful applicant only after approval of a completed application and execution of an agreement between the applicant and the authority pursuant to this chapter. Prior to disbursement of funds, the applicant must provide the authority with confirmation of expenses detailed in the applicant’s budget and the authority must confirm that all terms for financial assistance have been met.
	b. 	Form of financial assistance. The authority will provide financial assistance in the form of a grant to the applicant. The amount of the grant and any other terms shall be included in the agreement required pursuant to this chapter.
	c. 	Use of funds. An applicant shall use funds only for reimbursement of the costs directly related to the project. The authority may require documentation or other information establishing the actual costs incurred for a project. Failure to use the funds for reimbursement of the costs directly related to a project shall be grounds for default under the agreement required pursuant to this chapter.
[ARC 4110C, IAB 11/7/18, effective 12/12/18; ARC 5480C, IAB 2/24/21, effective 3/31/21; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 10/18/23]