Located in:
- Program-specific Requirements for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities under Title I-B
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following with respect to activities carried out under subtitle B—
b. 2. Registered Apprenticeship
Describe how the State will incorporate Registered Apprenticeship into its strategy for service design and delivery (e.g., job center staff taking applications and conducting assessments).
Current Narrative:
The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (ADWS) has a strong partnership with Registered Apprenticeship (RA) and consistently includes Registered Apprenticeship training as a training option in discretionary grant proposals and encourages local workforce development boards to utilize RA as a workforce development tool serving both employers and job seekers. The ADWS is working with local workforce development boards to more fully integrate RA and other work-based learning options into WIOA Title I.
Under the USDOL awarded ApprenticeshipUSA State Accelerator grant, ADWS is working with RA partners and stakeholders to develop a State Plan for RA Expansion and Diversification. A major component in the development of the State Plan for RA Expansion and Diversification includes an asset mapping analysis that will identify assets and funding streams associated with RA and look for opportunities to leverage resources for potential expansion to serve both employers and job seekers within growth industry and occupational fields. The State Plan for RA Expansion and Diversification is due to be completed by May 31, 2018.
Information on RA is shared with dislocated workers that attend information sessions while preparing for or recovering from a layoff. Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) staff routinely notify TAA eligible clients of the option to pursue RA as a viable training option. Registered Apprenticeships are presented to clients as a training option at both the TAA Information Sessions and during one-on-one assessments. If a client expresses interest in an Apprenticeship program, they are provided with the appropriate RA program contact information for follow-up purposes to learn more about RA training and employment opportunities.
The partnership between the Workforce system and RA programs will serve to increase options for both youth and adults. The RA “earn while you learn” model provides job seekers with a USDOL recognized skill attainment credential while allowing for an upwardly mobile career pathway. Likewise, RA benefits employers by developing highly skilled employees, reducing turnover rates, increasing productivity, and lowering the cost employee recruitment efforts. Adults, dislocated workers and youth have opportunities under RA to increase their earnings, skill sets, and will receive training in a high demand industry. Apprentices in Arkansas Registered Apprenticeships are co-enrolled in Title-I programs, when appropriate. ITAs and supportive services will be provided as wrap around support to participants in Registered Apprenticeships. On-the-Job-Training (OJT) contracts may be written with registered apprenticeship providers for the training portion of the program. Registered Apprenticeship program, OJT contracts must follow the State and local policies on OJT and depending on the length of the program, these funds may cover some or all of the registered apprenticeship training. Attainment of a credential, employment, retention of employment and wages of apprentices will be counted in performance measures for those who meet program eligibility requirements.
The Arkansas Apprenticeship Pathway Initiative (AAPI) provides $4,000,000 of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Labor to create and expand registered apprenticeships in targeted H-1B growth industries, strengthen employer and service provider partnerships, as well as provide an opportunity for participants to learn occupational specific skills as well as good wages while gaining college credit.
The industries of focus for this grant include advanced manufacturing and the construction trades with opportunities for expansion into other industry growth sectors based on employer demand. A primary goal under the AAPI is to enroll 600 RA’s over the life the grant. The grant has an end date of September 30, 2020.
Arkansas Expands Apprenticeship (AREA) provides $900,000 of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Labor to create, expand, and diversify registered apprenticeships in growth industries. The industries of focus for this grant include advanced manufacturing, construction trades, and transportation with opportunities for expansion into other industry growth sectors based on employer demand. A primary goal under the AREA is to enroll 100 RA’s and 100 pre-apprentices over the life the grant. The grant has an end date of April 30, 2019.