Path to Trades

The deadline to apply for this funding opportunity is Friday, October 30, 2026 at 11:59pm PST. 

The City of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) Path to Trades Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks providers to increase trades training and career opportunities for Seattle public high school students. This $627,666 investment is designed to increase student awareness of trades career opportunities, access to trades career pathways, and the number of youth in living-wage trades careers. This investment is funded by the Every Child Ready—Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy. 

The Every Child Ready—FEPP Levy Ready to Launch domain funds investments designed to increase access to and utilization of postsecondary opportunities that promote attainment of a certificate, credential or degree for Seattle students and youth. The Path to Trades RFP is a Career Pathways investment within the Ready to Launch domain of the FEPP Levy. 

For the purpose of this RFP, a trades careeris defined as an occupation that requires specialized training and an industry-recognized credential that is developed through structured applied learning opportunities and awarded by an accredited or state-registered provider.  

Background 

Analysis and stakeholder engagement conducted by DEEL identified inequities in the college and career sector that significantly impact students’ ability to earn a certificate, degree, or credential. Key findings include:  

1. Formal credentials, such as certifications and apprenticeships, consistently raise earnings by 50-100%;  
2. Trades careers have low percentages of Black/African American workers and professionals in leadership positions;  
3. Youth exploring trades career pathways frequently encounter barriers such as low trades competency readiness, high start-up costs for materials, and systemic hiring inequities.  

For additional information, please review the Path to Trades Racial Equity Toolkit and Stakeholder Engagement Report completed as part of the Every Child Ready-FEPP Levy renewal legislative process.  

A total of $627,666 in funding is available for the contract period from January 27, 2026 to December 14, 2028. The funding amount per provider will be determined based on the number of qualified proposals received. 

Please note: DEEL reserves the right to modify, delay, or cancel awards based on Council action or changes to available funding. DEEL will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking this webpage for technical assistance information, updates, clarifications, or amendments. 

Who can apply:

The intended long-term outcome of the Path to Trades RFP is to increase the number of youth in living-wage careers.  

The 2026 Path to Trades RFP seeks proposals from providers who: 

• Meet city and state insurance, licensing, privacy, confidentiality, and regulatory requirements 
• Provides support for entry to trades career pathways at one of the following institutions:  
• Washington state-accredited educational institutions 
• Washington state-registered apprenticeship programs 
• Washington state-accredited training providers 

Providers must serve Seattle public high school students. Eligible funded services include, but are not limited to:  

• Career awareness and exploration: Outreach, youth engagement, field trips, etc. 
• Career preparation: Instruction and training, professional skill building, certifications, pre-apprenticeships, and/or apprenticeship programs  
• Persistence and completion support: Advising, mentorship, and/or competency readiness 
• Financial support: Scholarships up to $1,500 for tools, supplies, or other required program or professional items; Other financial support such as stipends, tuition or fees 

Programs must positively impact one or more quality or intermediate outcomes: 

• Knowledge of trades career pathways 
• Financial support to enter trades career pathways 
• Participation in trades career pathway such as training, certificate, credential, degree, pre-apprenticeship, or apprenticeship 
• Persistence and completion of trades career pathway 
• Trades career employment 

Additionally, successful funding proposals will demonstrate program alignment with the following investment level outcomes: 

• Increase number of students in living-wage trades careers  
• Increase number of students completing trades career training or degrees 
• Increase number of students participating in trades certificate, credential, pre-apprenticeship, or apprenticeship 
• Increase number of students prepared for trades career pathways  
• Increase financial supports for students to access trades career pathways  
• Increase student knowledge of trades career pathways   

To learn more about eligibility and application requirements, please download and read the RFP Overview linked below.  

Timeline*: 

DEEL will accept responses from applicants until Monday, November 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST.  

*Dates subject to change. Prospective applicants are responsible for checking this web page for changes.  

How to apply:

Please submit your application via the Submittable platform. All applicants will need to sign up for a Submittable account here: Seattle DEEL Submission Manager (submittable.com).  
 
Proposals must respond to the prompts and focus areas listed in the RFP Overview.   

Reference Links:

Use the following links to access information you will need to reply to this RFP.  

Application Essentials  

Supporting Materials:  

All materials and updates to the RFP are available on DEEL’s Funding Opportunities webpage.  

Please note: Changes to the funding process and timeline may occur. DEEL will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking the webpage for any updates, clarifications, or amendments. DEEL will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking the webpage for any updates, clarifications, or amendments.    

How to submit questions: 

For Questions related to the Path to Trades RFP:    

• Submit questions about this RFP via email to DEELFunding@seattle.gov and include “Question: Path to Trades RFP” in the subject line. Responses will be published and linked in the table above. Please allow three (3) business days for answers to submitted questions.  

For Technical Questions related to using Submittable:    

• Check the Submitter Resource Center   

• Send questions to Submittable Customer Support and by email to DEELfunding@seattle.gov with the Subject line: "Submittable Question: Path to Trades RFP". 

Language Assistance: 

Do you need an interpreter? Do you need documents translated? Language assistance is available. Contact DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050.