Memorandum of Understanding Construction Trades Workforce Initiative (CTWI) & Richmond Employment and Training Department
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), drafted on October 15, 2025, is between the Construction
Trades
Workforce
Initiative
(CTWI)
and
Richmond
Employment
and
Training
Department,
and
will
be
effective
from
October
1,
2025
through
May
31,
2027.
In this document “we”, ”us”, “our”, “CTWI” refers to the Construction Trades Workforce Initiative.
“Partner”,
“you”,
“your”
refers
to
Richmond
Employment
and
Training
Department.
“Program”
refers
to
the
Equal
Representation
in
Construction
Apprenticeship
(ERiCA)
Program.
1. Purpose and Benefits The purpose of this MOU is to establish an official partnership between CTWI and Richmond Employment
and
Training
Department
in
the
Equal
Representation
in
Construction
Apprenticeship
(ERiCA)
Program.
Richmond
Employment
and
Training
Department
operates
RichmondBUILD,
a
construction
pre-apprenticeship
program.
This program is funded by the Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) Grant
administered
by
the
California
Department
of
Industrial
Relations
Division
of
Apprenticeship
Standards
(DAS).
The
grant
seeks
to
improve
access
to
training
and
employment
opportunities
for
underrepresented
populations
in
construction
trades
across
all
communities
throughout
the
state
of
California,
by
providing
funding
based
on
2 categories:
● Recruitment: Expanding recruitment efforts to be more inclusive of women, non-binary individuals,
and
underrepresented
populations
to
better
facilitate
their
entry
into
construction
careers
● Childcare: Providing supportive resources for childcare CTWI is a grant recipient and lead fiscal entity under the ERiCA grant and will lead the multi-partner
coalition
to
fulfill
and
report
progress
towards
grant
and
partnership
deliverables.
This
MOU
delineates
the
respective
roles
and
responsibilities
of
the
Partner
and
CTWI
in
the
implementation
of
the
grant.
The partnership consisting of 15+ apprenticeship programs, pre-apprenticeship programs, and Building
Trades
Councils
recognize
the
partnership-wide
goals
and
will
work
towards
achieving
these
goals:
● Recruitment: ○ Increase the enrollment of women in pre-apprenticeship programs by 5% 1 ○ Increase enrollment of women in apprenticeship programs by 10% ● Childcare: ○ 116 Stipend Recipients ■ 70 apprentices ■ 46 pre-apprentices ○ 60% 1-year retention rate of MC3-graduated apprentices ○ 50% stipend recipients are women, non-binary, or other underrepresented population
2. Term and Termination of MOU
This MOU is in effect from October 1, 2025 through May 31, 2027. Either party may terminate this
MOU
at
any
time,
without
cause,
with
30 days
written
notice
to
the
other
party.
This
Agreement
may
be
amended
by
mutual
written
consent
of
the
parties.
All
amendments
to
this
MOU
must
be
in
writing
and
signed
by
both
parties.
3. Richmond Employment and Training Department and CTWI Scope of Work
1. Grant Administration and Partner Coordination
Partner will:
● Attend quarterly partnership meetings and monthly check-ins as needed. ● Submit quarterly invoices and narrative reports aligned with outcomes. ● Collaborate with CTWI to implement grant services and deliverables ● Submit quarterly reports to CTWI CTWI will:
● Attend required meetings with DIR/DAS ● Submit narrative and fiscal reports to DIR/DAS, including: ○ Participant reporting: Provide detailed demographics and outcomes per each category (Recruitment, Childcare, or Worksite Culture). ○ Final performance report: Submit Narrative reflecting obstacles, best practices, sustainability strategy, and a complete budget summary.
2 2. Childcare Stipends
Partner will:
● Assist with outreach and identification of eligible pre-apprentices in their programs with childcare needs. ● Collaborate with CTWI on outreach to ensure parents/guardians pre-apprentices are aware of childcare stipend availability. ● Assist in supporting participants with completing stipend application and required identification documents, receipts, affidavits, and other documentation. ● Register pre-apprentices in California Apprenticeship System (CAS) and maintain pre-apprenticeship outcomes data (entry, exit, completion).
CTWI will:
● Serve as fiscal agent, including managing stipend fund disbursement. ● Maintain application form, review applications, verify participant eligibility, and process participant childcare stipend applications and payments. ● Follow up with participants to collect any missing documentation to validate eligibility and childcare expenses and complete application. ● Track and report participant data, including program status, participant demographics, stipend amounts, retention outcomes.
3. Recruitment
Partner will:
● Distribute and adapt CTWI-developed marketing materials locally. ● Participate in outreach and recruitment events (tabling, career fairs, site visits). ● Share success stories, photos, and materials for inclusion in state-required marketing campaigns. ● Provide demographic and outcome placement data for individuals recruited into their programs. ● Collaborate on audits of recruitment practices to identify barriers and propose solutions.
CTWI will:
3 ● Develop inclusive and representative marketing collateral (print, digital, social). ● Publish and update Apprenticeship Guidebook and Best Practices Guidebook. ● Coordinate and host regional recruitment events and outreach campaigns: Apprenticeship Showcases, Trades Treks, Summer Trades Programs, Career Fairs, etc. ● Manage data collection and regional reporting on recruitment outcomes. ● Advocate for inclusive labor standards and policy adoption supporting hiring practices.
4. Budget The total grant amount awarded to the Partner shall not exceed the following amounts for each funding
category
for
the
full
performance
period.
The
budget,
including
allowable
and
allowable
expenses,
is
outlined
in
the
next
section.
● Childcare: $47,000 ○ Stipend Funds to Pre-Apprentices: The budget is $35,000. Because CTWI will be responsible
for
distributing
the
stipend
funds
directly
to
participants,
CTWI
will
hold
the
childcare
funds
in
their
budget.
CTWI
will
reserve
50%
of
this
funding
category
amount
($17,500)
for
the
Partner’s
pre-apprentices
through
June
2026
(midway
through
the
grant)
and
depending
on
the
number
of
eligible
pre-apprentices,
will
release
up
to
the
total
amount
to
the
Partner’s
pre-apprentices.
After
June
2026,
CTWI
reserves
the
right
to
re-allocate
and
adjust
stipend
funds
based
on
actual
spenddown
performance
by
partners.
○ Administration Expenses: The budget is $12,000. ● Recruitment: $15,000 5. Allowable and Unallowable Expenses Allowable and unallowable expenses for the funding categories are as follows: a. General Principles for All Funding Categories i. Costs must meet the following general criteria to be allowable: 1. Must be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the grant award,
and
allocable
the
grant
award
2. Must be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned as
a
direct
cost
if
any
other
cost
incurred
for
the
same
purpose
in
like
circumstances
has
been
allocated
as
an
indirect
cost
3. Must be adequately documented 4. Must be allowable under, or otherwise comply with, grant requirements
and
grant
award
terms
and
conditions
5. Must be in compliance with applicable state laws and requirements ii. A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which
would
be
incurred
by
a
prudent
person
under
the
circumstances
4 prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost. In determining
the
reasonableness
of
a
given
cost,
consideration
will
be
given
to:
1. Whether the cost is generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for
the
proper
and
efficient
performance
of
the
grant
award
2. The requirements of the grant and the terms and conditions of the grant
award.
3. Market prices for comparable goods or services for the geographic area
4. Whether the recipient deviates from its established practices and policies
regarding
the
incurrence
of
costs,
which
may
unjustifiably
increase
the
award’s
cost.
iii. A cost is allocable to the grant award if the cost is incurred specifically for the
award.
If
the
cost
benefits
both
award
and
non-award
activities,
the
proportion
that
may
be
approximated
using
reasonable
and
properly
documented
methods
may
be
charged
to
the
grant
award
if
approved
by
DIR.
b. Allowable Use of Funds: Recruitment i. Staffing costs and project management related to the objectives of this grant
category.
ii. Providing technical assistance to apprenticeship and/or pre-apprenticeship programs
that
are
working
to
achieve
better
representation
of
women,
non-binary
individuals
and
underrepresented
populations
in
their
program
both
in
terms
of
sourcing
and
advancement
through
the
program.
iii. Creating new and innovative marketing strategies to recruit more women, nonbinary
individuals
and
underrepresented
populations
into
the
trades.
Activities
could
include
hands-on
career
fairs
which
provide
opportunities
to
use
simulators,
hand
tools,
etc.
or
other
innovative
outreach
strategies.
iv. Expanding outreach and networking with contractors and employers to address
any
concerns
around
hiring
women,
non-binary
individuals
and
underrepresented
apprentices.
v. Coordinating with public officials at Division of Occupational Safety and Health
(DOSH)
and
the
Labor
Commissioner’s
Office
about
training
activities
on
workplace
health,
safety,
and
wage
and
hour
rights.
vi. Outreach costs, including paid advertising, content production, contracting
press
relations,
flyers
and
marketing
materials
for
events,
website
building
and
updating.
vii. Event-related costs including registration fees, travel, facilities rental and speaker
fees.
viii. Tools and other demonstration equipment related to the objectives of this grant
category.
c. Allowable Use of Funds: Childcare i. Childcare stipends directly to apprentices or pre-apprentices to cover 5 demonstrated childcare or specific care needs services. ii. All costs associated with onsite day care such as facilities, staffing, childcare
supplies,
utilities,
toys,
books.
iii. Daycare or Special Needs Care reimbursement. iv. In-home childcare/care costs such as a nanny, babysitter (if there to cover for
a
parent
who
is
at
work
vs.
recreational
reasons),
or
au
pair,
or
institutional-setting
care,
such
as
child
daycare
or
special
needs
care
services
by
qualified
caregivers.
v. Summer and vacation day camps. vi. Before & After School Care. vii. Application fees, deposits (etc. requirements for obtaining care, but only if care
is
subsequently
provided).
viii. Enrichment programs and lessons (i.e. music, sport lessons). ix. Childcare coordinator. x. Staffing costs and project management related to the objectives of this grant
category.
xi. Up to a 10% administrative fee to be paid to a local Alternative Payment Program
to
administer
stipends
and
connect
participants
with
other
childcare
and
human
services.
xii. Stipends – the program is offering eligible participants a stipend to cover childcare/care
costs.
Since
this
is
likely
to
be
a
taxable
stipend,
there
is
a
broader
set
of
eligible
costs,
however
stipend
recipients
must
all
sign
an
affidavit
validating
that
the
stipend
is
used
for
eligible
childcare/care
costs.
CTWI
will
provide
a
template
affidavit
for
this
type
of
model.
Eligible
childcare/care
costs
in
this
scenario
include:
1. Daycare or Special Needs Care reimbursement. 2. In-home childcare costs (such as a nanny, babysitter, au pair, family
member
or
institutional-setting
care,
such
as
child
daycare
or
special
needs
care
services
by
qualified
caregivers.)
3. Summer or vacation day camps. 4. Before- and after-school care. 5. Application fees, deposits (etc. requirements for obtaining care, but only
if
care
is
subsequently
provided).
6. Enrichment programs and lessons (i.e. music, sport lessons). d. Unallowable Expenses For ALL Funding Categories i. For all funding categories of the ERiCA Grants, the following categories of
expenses
are
never
allowed:
1. Food and Beverage costs. 2. Political Activity. 3. Campaign Activity. 4. Lobbying. 5. Goods or services for personal use of the recipient’s or subrecipient’s
employees.
6. Penalties and fees resulting from violations, alleged violations, or 6 failure to comply with federal, state, tribal, local or foreign laws and
regulations.
7. Acquisition of buildings, facilities, or land or to make additions, improvements,
replacements,
rearrangements,
reinstallations,
renovations,
or
alterations
of
an
existing
building
or
facility
(including
site
grading
and
15 improvement
and
architecture
fees).
Building
means
any
permanent
structure
that
is
designed
or
intended
for
support,
enclosure,
shelter,
or
protection
of
person,
animals,
or
property
having
a
permanent
roof
that
is
supported
by
columns
or
walls.
This
also
includes
costs
for
construction
and
construction
related
materials,
which
may
include,
but
are
not
limited
to
the
purchase
of
building
materials
such
as
wood,
nails,
concrete,
asphalt,
roofing,
gravel,
sand,
paint,
insulation,
drywall,
or
plumbing.
8. Expenses for training and services already mandated under federal, state
and
local
law
are
NOT
allowable.
6. Payment and Invoice Schedule The partner shall submit invoices and necessary documentation to CTWI for project expenses as outlined
in
the
table
below.
CTWI
shall
make
payment
within
45 calendar
days
after
receipt
of
the
billing,
contingent
upon
receipt
of
funds
from
the
DIR.
The
partner
agrees
to
maintain
all
necessary
documentation
including
invoices,
receipts,
proof
of
payments,
etc.
Each invoice should clearly split the total invoiced amount into the three initiative categories, as applicable
(Childcare
or
Recruitment).
This
makes
it
easier
during
audits
to
trace
deliverables
tied
to
specific
funds.
CTWI
will
provide
a
template
to
follow.
Invoicing Period for Recruitment and Childcare Stipend Administration Funds Invoice Due Date
October 1, 2025 - November 30, 2025 December 6, 2025 December 1, 2025 - November 30, 2026 December 6, 2026 Note: The Partner does not invoice for the Childcare Stipends because CTWI will hold these
funds
in
their
budget.
Unused funds or carryover: Any unspent amounts from an initiative must be returned or reallocated
in
writing,
subject
to
CTWI
approval,
and
must
be
documented
in
the
narrative.
7 7. Reporting Schedule
The partner shall submit the following on a quarterly basis:
● Short narrative report summarizing activities, progress toward increasing enrollment of women
in
pre-apprenticeship
programs
by
5%,
and
any
successes,
challenges,
or
recommendations
on
each
category.
● Participant information, including verification of apprenticeship status (active, completed,
or
exited)
and
CAS
registration
● Final close-out: The final invoice and narrative will serve as the final financial and programmatic
closeout
for
the
MOU.
CTWI will provide report templates and training to partners. 8. Notices All notices provided for under this MOU shall be in writing and either personally delivered during
normal
business
hours,
sent
by
U.S.
(certified,
return
receipt
requested)
with
postage
prepaid
to
the
other
party
at
the
address
set
forth
below,
or
via
email.
a. If to Council: Name Beli Acharya, Executive Director, CTWI Address 7750 Pardee Lane, Suite 100 Oakland, CA 94621 Email Address [email protected]
b. If to Richmond Employment and Training Department: Name Tamara Walker Address 330 25th Street
Richmond, CA 94804
Email Address [email protected]
8. Status of the Parties
8 This MOU is not an employment or partnership agreement. Participants in the Program are not employed
by
Collaborators,
and
are
not
entitled
to
benefits
of
any
kind
or
nature
normally
provided
employees
of
each
of
the
respective
parties
and/or
to
which
each
of
the
respective
party’s
employees
are
normally
entitled,
including,
but
not
limited
to,
State
Unemployment
Compensation
or
Worker's
Compensation.
9. No Joint Liability Each party, in the performance of this Agreement, shall be and act as an independent contractor and
separate
entity
from
the
other.
Each
party
understands
and
agrees
that
it
and
all
of
its
employees
shall
not
be
considered
officers,
employees,
agents,
partners,
or
joint
ventures
of
the
other
party,
10. No Assignment & No Rights in Third Parties The obligations and rights under this MOU shall not be assigned without the express prior written
consent
of
all
of
the
parties.
This
MOU
does
not
create
any
rights
in,
or
inure
to
the
benefit
of,
any
third
party
except
as
expressly
provided
herein.
11. Waiver No delay or omission by either party in exercising any right under this MOU shall operate as a waiver
of
that
or
any
other
right
or
prevent
a
similar
subsequent
act
from
constituting
a
violation
of
the
MOU.
12. Severability If any term, condition or provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be
invalid,
void
or
unenforceable,
the
remaining
provisions
will
nevertheless
continue
in
full.
l0. Provisions Required By Law Deemed Inserted Each and every provision of law and clause required by law to be inserted in this MOU shall be deemed
to
be
inserted
herein
and
this
MOU
shall
be
read
and
enforced
as
though
it
were
included
herein.
11. Captions and Interpretations Section and paragraph headings in this MOU are used solely for convenience, and shall be wholly
disregarded
in
the
construction
of
this
MOU.
No
provision
of
this
MOU
shall
be
interpreted
for
or
against
a
party
because
that
party
or
its
legal
representative
drafted
such
provision,
and
this
MOU
shall
be
construed
as
if
jointly
prepared
by
the
parties.
12. Calculation of Time
9 For the purposes of this MOU, “days” refers to calendar days unless otherwise specified. 13. Litigation This MOU shall be performed in Oakland, California and is governed by the laws of the State of California,
but
without
resort
to
California’s
principles
and
laws
regarding
conflict
of
laws.
The
Contra
Costa
County
Superior
Court
shall
have
jurisdiction
over
any
litigation
initiated
to
enforce
or
interpret
this
Agreement.
14. Incorporation of Recitals and Exhibits The recitals and each exhibit (if any) attached hereto are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The
parties
agree
that
to
the
extent
any
recital
or
document
incorporated
herein
conflicts
with
any
term
or
provision
of
this
MOU,
the
terms
and
provisions
of
this
MOU
shall
govern
over
any
other
recital
or
document.
15. Integration/Entire Agreement of Parties: This MOU constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior discussions,
negotiations,
and
agreements,
whether
oral
or
written.
This
Agreement
may
be
amended
or
modified
only
by
a
written
instrument
executed
by
both
parties.
16. Counterparts This MOU and all amendments and supplements to it may be executed in counterparts, and all counterparts
together
shall
be
construed
as
one
document.
17. Signature Authority Each party has the full power and authority to enter into and perform this MOU, and the person signing
this
MOU
on
behalf
of
each
party
has
been
given
the
proper
authority
and
empowered
to
enter
into
this
MOU.
18. MOU Contingent on Governing Board Approval Richmond Employment and Training Department shall not be bound by the terms of this MOU until
it
has
been
formally
approved
by
Richmond
Employment
and
Training
Department’s
Governing
Board.
This
MOU
shall
be
deemed
to
be
approved
when
it
has
been
signed
by
the
Richmond
Employment
and
Training
Department
Governing
Board
Designee.
19. Signatures
Construction Trades Workforce Initiative (CTWI):
10 Printed Name of Representative: Beli Acharya, Executive Director Signature of Representative ________________________________________ Date: ______________
Richmond Employment and Training Department:
Printed Name of Representative ______________________________________ Signature of Representative ________________________________________ Date: ______________
11