Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- a. State Strategy Implementation
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include–
- 2. Implementation of State Strategy
Describe how the lead State agency with responsibility for the administration of each core program or a Combined Plan partner program included in this plan will implement the State’s Strategies identified in Section II(c). above. This must include a description of—
- 2. Implementation of State Strategy
- a. State Strategy Implementation
III. a. 2. H. Improving Access to Postsecondary Credentials
Describe how the State’s strategies will improve access to activities leading to recognized postsecondary credentials, including Registered Apprenticeship certificates. This includes credentials that are industry-recognized certificates, licenses or certifications, and that are portable and stackable.
Current Narrative:
A master plan for improving Arkansas higher education attainment was presented to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board on October 30, 2015. The 2015-2020 five year planning cycle adopted in this plan is a critical component in the long-term objective to reach the 2025 goal of a 60 percent post-secondary attainment rate in Arkansas, increasing from the current estimate of 43.4 percent. By 2020, the plan is to reduce the educational attainment gap in Arkansas by increasing the number of postsecondary credentials by 50 percent over the 2013-2014 academic year levels; increasing the number of certificates awarded to 19,200; associate’s degrees to 12,700; and bachelor’s degrees to 19,900.
Title I of WIOA allows funds to be provided for adults and dislocated workers who meet WIOA Title I eligibility requirements for occupational skills training, on-the-job training, programs that combine workplace training with related instruction, skills upgrading and retraining, entrepreneurial training, job-readiness training, adult education and literacy activities described in section 134(3) (D) of WIOA. ADCE-AED is collaborating with Title I programs to combine resources, reduce duplication of services, and provide support to Arkansans.
During the state’s administrators’ meeting the program manager from the Office of Apprenticeships does a workshop session on apprenticeship programs across the state and how adult education can be a partner in the process. Apprentices who may need additional academic assistance are often referred to adult education. One of the challenges is the availability of evening classes offered in the adult education centers to accommodate working adults. One of the ways the state is combatting this issue is by increasing the number of distance learning classes being offered to provide around the clock access.
The Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center (AALRC), adult education’s professional development center, have provided consultation and training for local programs to establish career pathways and Integrated Education Training programs that align with local workforce needs. The AALRC hired consultants, Michelle Carson and Libby Livings-Eassa, to provide over 40 hours of professional development training on Career Pathways to adult education directors, staff, and partners. In addition, trainings on establishing Integrated Education Training programs and developing contextualized instruction have been provided for local program directors and instructors. Adult education directors are aware that career pathways is now one of the 13 considerations that must be met in order to receive federal funds; “whether the eligible provider’s activities coordinate with other available education, training, and social service resources in the community, such as by establishing strong links with elementary schools and secondary schools, postsecondary educational institutions, institutions of higher education, local workforce investment boards, one-stop centers, job training programs, and social service agencies, business, industry, labor organizations, community- based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and intermediaries, for the development of career pathways Section 231(e) (8)).
Local adult education providers have been working with community colleges, apprenticeship programs, Title I programs, and health care providers to offer industry-recognized certificates, licenses or certifications, that are portable and stackable. Currently, some providers have offered National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certifications, Certified Nursing Assistant credentials, Industrial Safety, OSHA training, and Welding to name a few. Other core partners such as Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, TANF, DHS, and DWS assist by either paying for some of these classes and certifications or offering support services such as transportation and childcare.
ARS recognizes the importance of increasing access to industry recognized credentials for its clients. Discussion of the need for credential attainment is a consideration in the development of a client’s individualized plan for employment. ARS continues to work to realign resources for training and education as evidenced by the Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI), ARS’ internal training unit, which focuses on providing training programs that result in industry recognized credentials. With the transition of ACTI to a nonresidential program, consideration is given to partnering with local community rehabilitation programs to replicate credentialed programs in other areas across the state. Plans also include ACTI taking a lead role in ARS’s utilization of pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship training for clients.
There are plans for continued expansion of the use of pre-apprenticeship for VR clients in Arkansas. In the second quarter of FFY 2018, 100 students have registered for pre-apprenticeship training.
DSB has traditionally paid tuition for vocational and postsecondary education that will lead to employment. DSB will increase its use of Registered Apprenticeship training opportunities for its consumers and align its resources for training and education resulting in industry-recognized postsecondary credentials.
It is imperative for staff from core and non-core programs to increase engagement with training providers and programs that lead to postsecondary credentials engage to ensure that they apply and are accepted onto the Eligible Training Provider List.