DOL Awards $95.5M for Dislocated Worker Reskilling Projects

On October 19, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced $95.5 million in Rapid Reskill Dislocated Worker Grants for 20 projects in 17 states. Administered through the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), the awards support training and employment services for workers affected by layoffs. The projects are intended to help participants transition into high-growth occupations, including manufacturing, aerospace, energy, and construction. The funding is structured as grants to support specific projects rather than a new federal solicitation, so organizations seeking work should focus on the grant recipients and implementation partners rather than expect a direct DOL procurement notice from this announcement.

The stated outcomes make service delivery and placement performance central considerations. Projects aim to place participants in paid jobs, apprenticeships, or structured on-the-job training within six months of enrollment. Providers that support recruitment, skills assessment, occupational training, credential attainment, career navigation, employer engagement, apprenticeship access, and placement may find opportunities through implementing organizations or state agencies. Those pursuing this work should confirm each project’s scope, participant eligibility, delivery model, subcontracting approach, and reporting requirements directly with the relevant recipient; the announcement does not provide detailed procurement terms or establish that every project will purchase outside services.

For GovCon firms, the grants point to a decentralized opportunity environment: 20 projects across 17 states may involve different grant recipients, employers, and delivery partners. The announcement identifies awards including grants to Adaptive Construction Solutions Inc. and The Boot, and also lists Per Scholas Inc., Pursuit Transformation Company Inc., and SER-Jobs for Progress of the Texas Gulf Coast Inc. among the vendors. The Florida Department of Commerce, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services are among the agencies identified. These names can help contractors begin market research, but firms should validate which entities lead implementation and whether they are seeking vendors or partners.

The six-month placement target has practical implications for proposal and delivery planning. Providers should be prepared to connect training plans to employer demand and measurable employment outcomes, rather than treat course completion as the sole success measure. Capacity to coordinate with employers in the targeted sectors, document participant progress, and support transitions into paid work or training could be relevant differentiators. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said, “The Rapid Reskill Grants support our commitment to ensuring displaced workers have the skills they need to pursue the American Dream.” For contractors, the actionable next step is to monitor recipient announcements and project-level notices, then align capabilities with the locations, occupations, and outcomes each project serves.

• DOL awarded $95.5 million through Rapid Reskill Dislocated Worker Grants on October 19, 2026.
• Funding supports 20 projects in 17 states for workers affected by layoffs.
• Target sectors include manufacturing, aerospace, energy, and construction.
• Projects aim for placement into paid jobs, apprenticeships, or structured on-the-job training within six months of enrollment.
• This is a grant announcement, not a new federal solicitation; potential work may flow through recipients and implementation partners.
• Workforce providers can assess opportunities in training, credentialing, employment services, employer engagement, and placement support.
• Named grant recipients include Adaptive Construction Solutions Inc. and The Boot; other listed vendors include Per Scholas Inc., Pursuit Transformation Company Inc., and SER-Jobs for Progress of the Texas Gulf Coast Inc.
• Agencies identified include the Employment and Training Administration, Florida Department of Commerce, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
• Providers should verify project-level scopes, partnership needs, and performance measures with recipients before pursuing work.