Come be our dedicated trainer in 2026-2027!

AFOP is seeking a well-qualified trainer to serve as its instructor of the AFOP Training Institute in 2026-2027. Below is information about the opportunity, including instructions on how to apply.

What is ATI?

The AFOP Training Institute (ATI) is an AFOP-sponsored credentialing program that certifies AFOP member staff in various aspects of their work.  ATI has been in operation for over 20 years, certifying thousands of AFOP member staff.

Historically, ATI classes cost $300-$400 per person.  This cost is negotiable based on the type and extent of training proposed.  By the end of the training year, each qualifying participant is certified in a certain skillset related to their work serving farmworkers and other jobseekers, e.g. case management.  That skillset changes from year-to-year, based on the offerings of that year’s vendor.

ATI certification runs in two tracks:  workforce development and professional development.  ATI participants have the option of enrolling in either or both tracks.  (Each track is billed as a separate enrollment.)  Training for both tracks is rolled out over a 12-month period and amounts to approximately 10-15 hours of coursework per track.

With ATI, the training provider creates marketing materials, while AFOP handles outreach and registration, inviting its member agencies to enroll their staff in the program.  Average ATI enrollment has been 100-200 students.  AFOP pays the vendor a one-time registration fee for each staff person approved to pursue the certification.  Contracting for the scope of work is done through a written agreement between the trainer and AFOP.

Scope of Work

The following tasks are expected of the trainer over the course of the ATI instructional year:

• Three live sessions at the 2026 National Conference in Denver, CO, on September 23, 2026
• A 12-month training program for two tracks: professional development and workforce development.  Components should include the following:
  • Monthly online webinars
  • Assessment tools
    • Pre-assessment, periodic assessments to check for understanding, and a final evaluation
  • Resources that reinforce training content, e.g. worksheets, exercises, online modules, etc.
• Two final in-person sessions at the September 2027 National Conference
• In-person graduation ceremony at the September 2027 National Conference where all graduates are awarded a certificate
• Two in-person sessions at a regional conference to allow new students to join and get current on training (TBD – Spring or Summer 2027)
• Trainer is responsible for their own travel costs related to the national conferences and the regional conference.

ATI Committee

AFOP has established an ATI subcommittee whose tasks include: 

• Assisting the ATI vendor(s) in developing course material suitable for the AFOP Training Institute credentialing program.
• Maintaining regular communication with the ATI vendor(s) to ensure a properly functioning credentialing program, addressing matters of concern as they arise.
• Coordinating with the AFOP Conference Committee because of ATI’s role in the AFOP national conference.  Coordination will include, but is not limited to, registration, meeting rooms, and conference scheduling.

What we do

Below is a non-comprehensive list of the various tasks that AFOP member staff complete as part of their day-to-day work serving farmworkers and other low-income individuals.  These tasks are sorted under general/professional development and workforce development.

General/Professional Development	Workforce Development
1. Learn the ins and outs of the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)	1. Create and maintain individualized plans for participants
2. Work collaboratively with Workforce Development Boards and State Monitor Advocates	Conduct outreach to farmworker communities and businesses
3. Network and communicate	Establish and maintain effective partnerships with employers and community organizations
4. Lead for results / Meet performance targets	Coach participants with barriers to employment
5. Learn the history of WIOA and the War on Poverty	Work with both youth and adults
6. Develop and apply good public speaking and presentation skills	Job development
7. Conflict resolution	Workforce readiness
8. Design competency-based training programs	Cultural competency
9. Run social media campaigns	Apprenticeship and earn-to-learn models
10. Change management	Trauma-informed service delivery
11. Understands trends in agricultural mechanization and precision	Conduct ABE (Adult Basic Education) and ESL (English as a Second Language) training and coaching
12. Develop elevator speeches / tell our story to diverse audiences in a way that builds stakeholder buy-in	Provide digital literacy training for job seekers
13. Grant writing and other fundraising strategies	Promote accessibility in training materials
14. Project Management	Conduct follow-up
15. Time Management	Develop individualized job retention strategies for participants
16. Emotional Intelligence	Career exploration and career coaching
17. Work effectively with different generations	Develop sector-based training, i.e. in-demand training that meets local business needs
18. Prevent burnout while maintaining expected levels of job performance	Help clients in areas that extend beyond employment
19. Self-care and self-awareness	Teach financial literacy

ATI Training Design

Proposed training for ATI should relate to, and augment, the above list of AFOP member activities.  Responsive proposals will not necessarily copy/paste topics but will organize a training program using a thematic approach, for ex., workforce readiness as an overall theme, with various sub-topics related to that theme (e.g. how to teach financial literacy, time management, digital literacy training, etc.).  Trainers should only propose training topics on which they have expertise to train, though they have the option of including other trainers or guest speakers as part of their proposal.

Please note:  applications that are innovative and offer multiple training options for each track will be scored higher than those that only use the topics listed and provide only one option per track.  When the committee selects a proposal and the trainer accepts, the committee will then have a conversation with the vendor in order to choose the final training topics for 2026-2027. 

Requirements for Proposal Submission

• Video clip of a live training by the applicant (approximately five minutes);
• A thorough outline of the applicant’s training plan;
• A detailed description of two training tracks – professional development and workforce development – upon which the applicant is prepared to provide training over a 12-month period;
• A list of materials included with the training such as books, handouts, or electronic media to be provided to trainees;
• A description of the certification and the requirements to obtain that certification;
• Two to three references from other agencies that have engaged in the applicant’s training;
• Ability to schedule and follow up with clients;
• Ability to keep training innovative and interactive, yet professional and structured;
• Capability to hold virtual training;
• Emphasis on real-world application of skills or knowledge developed;
• Ability to complete the training from September 2026 to September 2027;
• Resume or CSV of lead trainer; and
• Per student cost.

Bidding Conference

AFOP will hold a bidding conference on TEAMS, on Wednesday, April 1, from 3:00-4:00pm ET, to ensure everyone has a clear and common understanding of the project requirements and procurement process.  Information on how to attend the virtual pre-bid conference is below:

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21703057022041?p=P93lMM9Fp2mykmnqMm

Meeting ID: 217 030 570 220 41

Passcode: L4dQ76wk

Dial in by phone

+1 929-352-1694,,176450543# United States, New York City

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 176 450 543#

Evaluation and Award

These are criteria that the ATI Committee will use to evaluate each application:

• Responsiveness to the requirements outlined in this RFP
• Relevant experience and performance
• Samples of applicant’s work (the video)
• Testimonials from past clients
• Quoted per-student cost

AFOP intends to award the opportunity to the vendor that represents the best value, as determined by AFOP, or to none at all.

Due Date for Proposals

Proposals must be received on or before May 15, 2026, by 4:59 p.m.  Proposals must be emailed to AFOP to the attention of Kendra Moesle, AFOP’s Director of Workforce Development, at kmoesle@afop.org, with “ATI Proposal 2026” in the subject line.  Proposals received after the due date will not be considered.

Notification of Successful Proposal and Questions

AFOP expects to notify the trainer submitting the successful proposal(s) by May 30, 2026. Selection will be made by the ATI subcommittee in coordination with AFOP’s executive director.

Questions regarding this proposal can be addressed to Kendra Moesle at kmoesle@afop.org.