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., outreach to sponsors and prospective sponsors, identifying potential participants and connecting them to apprenticeship opportunities).
Current Narrative:
(2) Registered apprenticeship is an employer-driven training model with many benefits for employers and workers. It is a flexible workforce strategy that can be customized to meet the needs of any business. Apprentices can be new hires or current employees needing skill upgrades. The apprenticeship model is leading the way in preparing workers to compete in today’s economy. Direct employer involvement in the educational process leads to apprenticeship programs with advancing technologies, innovations in training and talent management.
Through Apprenticeship Missouri, the state serves as a facilitator of registered apprenticeship expansion by connecting partners, employers, intermediaries and potential apprentices to a diverse mix of industry, non-profits, and education providers. In Missouri, federal, state, and local partners have united in the efforts to expand Registered Apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Missouri serves as the lead influencer of apprenticeship expansion in Missouri. Through Apprenticeship Missouri, the state builds strategic relationships, increases credential attainment and expands apprenticeship alignment with career pathways and postsecondary education. The state continues to retain dedicated apprenticeship staffing for recruitment of apprentices, business and activity delivery. It also targets sectors that open career pathways and training access points for Missourians. Of particular note is the growth of state-agency registered apprenticeships, including a Direct Care Support Professional with the Department of Mental Health, Maintenance Technician through the Department of Transportation, and various occupations with the Missouri National Guard. In 2023, OWD implemented an internal apprenticeship program for front line staff. This unique approach to the “earn while you learn” model within OWD will reduce turnover, enhance skill development, and allow for staff to gain a credential for their career pathway within workforce development. The true value of the investment in registered apprenticeship projects is the long-term result of creating a competitive workforce for Missouri’s future.
OWD utilizes a partnering consortium known as the Missouri Apprenticeship Team (MAT) to engage sponsors, prospective sponsors, employers, local and state Chambers of Commerce, United States Department of Apprenticeship staff, and state partners including the WIOA Core agencies, and community-based programs. This consortium meets every other month and provides integral updates, networking and potential apprenticeship opportunities to the participants.
Through a partnership with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, OWD supports a website called Apprenticeship Connect. This site links potential participants, sponsors, training entities and employers to apprenticeship opportunities.
OWD considers Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to be an integral force in building a skilled talent pipeline for employers. Any application for OWD funding of apprenticeships or pre-apprenticeships must include a DEI implementation plan. In 2022, OWD partnered with the Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass, to provide a two-part training to all MAT members on providing apprenticeships for people with disabilities. These efforts help establish a culture within OWD and to our partners of the priority given to DEI efforts.
The Eligible Training Provider System (ETPS) guidance requires registered apprenticeship training programs be contained in the state’s system.