Nearly $504,000 in grant funding is available to boost the ranks of nurses in communities most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic through the earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship career model.

The Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

With the grant funds, local workforce development boards can offer training for people interested in becoming home health aides, certified nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses. The department is seeking partners to create a new apprenticeship model for underserved populations.

Competitive grants up to $250,000 will be awarded for programs with a single-county or localized reach, while grants up to $350,000 will be awarded for programs with a statewide or multicounty reach involving three or more counties.

Priority will be given to programs in low- or moderate-income communities.

The grant is funded through with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds established under the American Rescue Plan Act. Application information is available on the state Department of Labor and Industry’s website.