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:
Registered Apprenticeship is currently aligned with WIOA through initiatives of the State Apprenticeship Expansion (SAE) grant awarded to the LWC by USDOL. One of these initiatives includes a supportive services pilot for apprentices similar to those offered at the local comprehensive career centers. SAE supportive services have provided tools, childcare assistance, and gas reimbursement for apprentices with financial need, supplementing funds for WIOA participants who need additional support and providing resources for those who are not eligible for WIOA but still require such assistance. These supportive services will continue until the SAE grant ends in October 2020.
ApprenticeshipLA.com utilizes a WIOA pre-screening form to determine potential WIOA eligibility for apprentice applicants, based on a model developed by Region 1. Completed forms are sent to the ApprenticeshipLA email and forwarded to the appropriate local board so they can reach out to these individuals and screen them before their apprenticeship begins. This has proved beneficial, as many are unaware of the services provided at comprehensive job centers. The pre-screening form increases the likelihood of determining eligibility before employment where afterward they may no longer be eligible for OJT contracts, supportive services, and/or individual training accounts (ITAs).
A new source of grant funding awarded in 2019, the Apprenticeship State Expansion (ASE) grant, provides funds for employer incentives to assist with OJT and Related Technical Instruction (RTI) training costs. The LWC will partner with local boards to execute this incentive, braiding funds with OJT contracts and ITAs to increase the amount of WIOA funds utilized by employers with a Registered Apprenticeship model and encourage Registered Apprenticeship expansion across the State of Louisiana.
During National Apprenticeship Week in 2019, the Apprenticeship Division held two events in the Monroe and Lafayette regions, coordinated with two local workforce boards. These events focused on informing employers of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship and how WIOA funding can amplify programs, with a cumulative attendance of over 80 individuals. The Apprenticeship Division aims to replicate these events in the other regions of Louisiana to strengthen partnerships between the LWC, the local boards, and employers.