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. Describe How the State Will Incorporate Registered Apprenticeship into Its Strategy and Services.
Current Narrative:
The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (ADWS) has a strong partnership with Registered Apprenticeship and consistently includes Registered Apprenticeship training as a training option in discretionary grant proposals and encourages local workforce development boards to utilize this training strategy. The ADWS is working with the U.S. Department of Labor, leaders from the Arkansas Apprenticeship Steering Committee, the Arkansas Apprenticeship Coalition, and local workforce development boards to establish a procedure for enrolling WIOA Title I participants in Registered Apprenticeship training and supporting the apprentice through training fees and supportive services for up to one year.
Information on Registered Apprenticeship 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 Registered Apprenticeship 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 referred to the Arkansas Apprenticeship Coalition (AAC) to determine what fields of study that may be available.
The partnership between the Workforce system and Registered Apprenticeship programs will increase options for both youth and adults. Registered Apprenticeships provide youth with career pathways and a credential. Adults and Dislocated Workers 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, Health Care, and Information Technology and will train a total of 600 unemployed, underemployed, dislocated, and underrepresented individuals over the life of the grant, with 480 individuals completing training and receiving credentials.