Narrative: b. 3.

(3) Training Provider Eligibility Procedure

In order for a training provider to be considered eligible for Registered Apprenticeships, they must meet one of the following criteria:

(1)  Institution of higher education that provide programs that lead to a recognized postsecondary credential, or

(2) Other public or private providers that provide training that may include Community Based Organizations (COBs) and Joint Labor-Management Organizations. This could include eligible providers of adult education and literacy activities under WIOA Title II, if such activities are provided in combination with individual training services.

For either of these eligibility criteria, providers must be certified by the appropriate governing body, and have an up-to-date website to include program descriptions, tuition, fees, and supplies. An applicant must have available upon request a copy of its license to operate, the authorizing body making this determination, and the date of expiration. Any expired license will need to be updated before eligibility determination can continue. Applicants should submit programs leading to recognized postsecondary credentials or certifications of occupations which are in demand. They also must demonstrate the ability to provide training services to individuals who are employed and to individuals with barriers to employment.

(3) Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs).

Registered Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria

An entity that carries out programs registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act’; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) also qualifies for eligibility.

For Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) sponsors that would like to be included on the state ETPS the following information will need to be added as an ETP:

• Occupations included within the registered apprenticeship program
• Name and address of the RAP program sponsor
• Names and addresses of the Related Technical Instruction provider(s) and the location(s) of instruction if different from the program sponsor’s address
• Method and length of instruction
• Number of active apprentices

RAPs are not subject to the same application and performance information requirements, or to a period of initial eligibility, or initial eligibility procedures as other providers, due to the detailed application and vetting procedures required to be a Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor with the United States Department of Labor (USDOL).  However, a RAP sponsor may voluntarily report performance outcomes. 
                 
RAP sponsors that are on the ETPS list will remain on the list until one of the following:

• Has been deregistered by a finding of the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Has notify the state that it no longer wants the program to be included on the list.
• Has intentionally provided inaccurate information.
• Has violated any provision of Title 1 of WIOA or the WIOA regulation including 29 CFR Part 38 for no less than two years.

Process for determining training provider initial and continued eligibility. ETP Application Review Process, addressed above.

Step 1. Review Provider to determine if they are a current, past or new provider to ETPS.  If a new provider, the provider must meet the minimum criteria to apply (the criteria is provided on the ETPS webpage https://jobs.mo.gov/community/missouri-eligible-training-provider-system 

If the provider meets criteria, we move to step 2, if not the provider and its programs are either placed in a non-WIOA approval status or a rejected status depending on what criteria is not met (example, provider has not been offering programs for a minimum of 12 months) until such time all criteria is met, and they are welcome to resubmit their programs.

Step 2. Review each program submitted for either WIOA or non-WIOA funding depending on the answer to this question on the program's details page – 

If the answer is “Yes” and it is a credit program,

The program is vetted through the College & Degree search page on DHEWD webpage https://web.dhewd.mo.gov/collegedegreesearch/collegesearch.faces

The following are schools listed on the College & Degree search page:

• Public 4-Year Schools
• Public 2-Year Schools
• Independent 4-Year Schools
• Independent 2-Year Schools
• Professional and Technical Schools
• Theological Schools
• Proprietary Schools
• Out-of-State Public Schools

If the program is listed and matches what is submitted on ETPS the program is approved.  Per OWD guidance and policy any programs higher than a bachelor’s degree are not approved on ETPS.

If the answer is “Yes” and is a noncredit program,

The program is vetted through one of the following:

• EdVera system – Proprietary Unit with the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development’s (DHEWD’s) Office of Post-Secondary Policy (providers must be certified or exempt to provide training in Missouri per the state statute)
• Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Career Centers such as Eldon Technical Center
• Health and Senior Services – for programs such as EMT or CNA/CMT programs
• Public Safety – to find partners for basic firefighting programs
• Professional Registration – for programs such as cosmetology, Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse programs

If the provider of the noncredit program is not located within one of the agencies above, then they are referred to DHEWD’s Proprietary Unit to begin the process of certification or exemption.  An example would be truck driving or Information Technology training companies. 

The programs are placed in a rejected status until the provider has been granted certification or exemption, they are then free to resubmit.  

If the answer is “Yes” and it is a provider/programs from out of state (credit or noncredit),

The program will be vetted on the designated states ETPL on the WIOA Eligible Training Provider finder:  https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/EmploymentAndTraining/find-WIOA-training-programs.aspx

States that have an active reciprocal agreement with Missouri are not required to be listed on the Missouri ETPS, but there is a link off of the ETPS webpage that provides those states ETPL links.  The Job Centers will locate this information at https://jobs.mo.gov/content/reciprocal-agreements.  

If the answer is “No” the program is reviewed for acceptable content to be listed on the Department’s  MoSCORES site and approved as a non-WIOA program.

If a non-credit program does not appear to meet the credential policy of an Industry Recognized Credential, then the program is sent to a review team to determine if the training meets the definition of an Industry Recognized Credential (IRC).

During that review, additional research may be to be completed by staff or the provider.

• Review detailed curriculum to determine what industry related skills will they be learning
• Review O*NET to see if skills to be learned match skills O*NET recommends
• Research Missouri job listings to see if the skills meet qualifications for an entry level job or advancement
• Request letters attesting to IRC from 3 or more employers within that industry
• Review outcomes of training with the Local Boards

Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) Criteria:

• Does the training teach industry specific skills? (Industry: Plumbing; Specific Skill: pipe cutting)
• Will the certification qualify them for an entry-level position or advancement in current position? (Skills they will learn in training match skills required by employer)

Did they produce three or more letters attesting an individual qualifies for entry-level jobs or advancement within their industry because of this training?

Step 3. If the training does not meet ETPS requirements the denial will be submitted to OWD for final decision.

Step 4.  After the provider and program have gone through the vetting process and are approved for WIOA funding the coordinator will approve the programs and send out a system generated email to the provider and the WDB so that they are aware of the approved programs on ETPS.

Although the ETPS keeps a history of provider/program activities, the ETPS Coordinator also keeps paper files with the following included: copy of approval email, copy of program list from designated agency and any notes to keep for future reference. 

Providers that fail to meet performance or have a substantial violation they may be removed from the list. 

Substantial violation occurs when one or more of the following occurs; however, the list is not exhaustive:

• Failure to timely and accurately submit the information required for the WIOA sec. 116(d)(4) ETP report for initial and continued eligibility;
• Failure to address, or address in a timely matter, non-compliance issues identified by the State or Local Workforce Development Board(s);
• Violations of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Provisions of WIOA sec 188 and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR section 38, including failure to correct an Equal Opportunity finding of discrimination against the provider;
• Violations of OSHA requirements;
• Acts of fraud, corruption, or attempts to defraud the State or Federal Government including the False Claims Act/Anti-kickback Act, misfeasance, nonfeasance, and gross mismanagement;
• Intentional falsification of documents and reports, including those related to performance;
• Loss of required accreditation, certifications, and or licenses relevant to the Instructor(s) or the training provider, if applicable, including failure to register, and maintain registration, as a proprietary institution as required by Missouri Revised Statute, sections173.600-.619;
• Failure to offer programs that lead to recognized post-secondary credentials;
• Continued evidence that students participating in the program(s) are not finding related employment within six (6) months of program completion; and
• Any other infractions deemed unacceptable by the State.

In any case of substantial violation, the State will consider whether the substantial violation was caused by an event outside of the control of the training provider such as natural disasters, unexpected personnel transitions, and unexpected technology-related issues. If the substantial violation is determined to be caused by events outside of the control of the training provider, the State will allow up between to six (6) months to achieve compliance, as is appropriate for the situation.

All approved programs (WIOA & Non-WIOA) are pulled into MoSCORES and DHEWD’s FastTrack program nightly.  The WIOA approved programs are pushed into MoJobs, which has a one-day lag time (ex. program approved on Monday will not show on MoJobs until Wednesday). Eligible Training Provider requirements, registration information, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) are online at: https://jobs.mo.gov/community/missouri-eligible-training-provider-system.