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. B. Alignment with Activities Outside the Plan
Describe how the activities identified in (A) will be aligned with programs and activities provided by required one-stop partners and other optional one-stop partners and activities provided under employment, training (including Registered Apprenticeships), education (including career and technical education), human services and other programs not covered by the plan, as appropriate, assuring coordination of, and avoiding duplication among these activities.
Current Narrative:
Through the WIOA Partners Roundtable, optional partners are at the table including Trade Adjustment Assistance, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment, SNAP Employment & Training, and Job for Veterans State Grant. While these partners are optional, we consider their input as vital to making the Arkansas workforce development system streamlined and effective. Every policy developed for statewide implementation is reviewed by subject matter experts from both core and non-core programs.
Arkansas continues to work with other required partners to align workforce development strategies including: JVSG, programs/services offered within American Job Centers; CSBG- partnerships through the Department of Human Services and Community Action Agencies; Job Corps, co-located in various Arkansas American Job Centers; Youth Build operated by the Little Rock Workforce Development Board; Native American programs offered through the American Indian Center of Arkansas; and Employment & Training activities carried out by the Department of Housing & Urban Development, offered through Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA).
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. In most recent years, the Arkansas Office of Skills Development has joined the WIOA Partners Roundtable and offers insight in the areas of work-based learning not limited to registered apprenticeships, incumbent worker training, and customized training. These additional partnerships ensure the greatest success for jobseekers and businesses.
One of the areas Adult Education plans to strengthen is to offer more pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships opportunities to learners. State staff has met with the Office of Skills Development, a division of the Department of Commerce, to discuss ways to expand apprenticeships to adult learners. Although a few providers currently work with apprenticeship providers in the state such as the National Apprenticeship Training Foundation, Arkansas Construction Education Foundation, and Little Rock Electrical JATC, there is a need for more partnerships in other sectors and across the state. Apprenticeship programs can help satisfy the integrated education and training (IET) requirement of all adult education providers. IETs enable individuals to secure industry-relevant certifications or credentials, obtain employment within an occupational area, or advance to higher levels of future education and employment. IETs are selected based on the Local Workforce Development Plan, which outlines the sectors that are high-demand and lead to high-wages.
Working with WIOA One-Stop Partners helps create a framework for existing education and workforce services to move from disconnection to integration into one system. This process of working with WIOA partners in conjunction with local workforce development boards and local advisory boards offers a more efficient and customer-centered approach to workforce development. Adult Education's best practices are shared with One-Stop Partners to collaborate monthly with WIOA partners through referrals and co-enrollment to minimize the duplication of services. The attention, timing, and education or training involved benefit from having core partners working together to bring shared services to align with the skill needs of industries and prepare individuals to be successful for future employment or postsecondary education opportunities, including apprenticeships.
Another partnership that the state office has formed is working with Arkansas Virtual Academy (AVA) through iCEV, an online Career Technical Education (CTE) training program. Adult learners will have access to training modules that lead to job-industry recognized certifications and AVA’s career technical education instructors. Adult learners will be able to access workforce training opportunities no matter where they are in the state. Working with other organizations allows the state to expand opportunities for Arkansans as well as reduce duplication of services.
The public library is another partnership that local adult education providers are building. The Fayetteville Public Library and the Fayetteville School District Adult Education program have formed a partnership in which the adult education program is offering basic skills instruction, English Language Acquisition and integrating workforce preparation training and digital literacy into the course. In addition, the library provides workforce training programs in the Skilled Trades, Information Technology, Heavy Equipment Operation, and Culinary Arts that lead to a certification. The library is an excellent partner for the workforce training component of adult education’s integrated education and training program.
ES staff frequently represent the agency and WIOA partner system at various community events and organizational meetings. Presentations are often delivered to civic groups including Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Lions Club, and more. As a result, the Arkansas workforce system benefits form these collaborations by representing WIOA in many groups that are regionally and locally led. In many cases, memorandums of understanding and other agreements are established to define how services will be provided.
ARS has set a strategy to increase apprenticeships and on-the-job training opportunities in the Program Years 2024-2027. ARS works with the Department of Education to fully serve students with disabilities. ARS also works with apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship providers to secure opportunities consistent with the individual’s strengths, interests, and abilities.
DSB is working to improve the availability of apprenticeships for individuals who are Blind and Visually Impaired by working with the Office of Skills Development (OSD) and the support of the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment (VRTAC-QE). DSB also has an MOU with the American Indian Center of Arkansas to provide more complete services to individuals eligible for both programs. DSB works with the Department of Education and Arkansas Rehabilitation Services to fully serve Students with a Disability. DSB and ARS work together to identify co-enrolled participants to avoid duplication of services and more effective services for those participants.