The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the launch of a new digital platform, Apprenticeship.gov . This innovative web portal features an Apprenticeship Finder tool that offers career seekers a platform to search for apprenticeships by city, state and occupation, as well as connects job seekers to high-skilled, high-paying careers.
The Apprenticeship Finder, a no-cost tool to employers or career seekers, is addressing a need shared by employers who are looking to promote their apprenticeship opportunities and career seekers searching to access them. The new Apprenticeship Finder tool will not only make it easier for career seekers to find apprenticeship opportunities, it will also help employers promote apprenticeships across new or nontraditional industries where apprenticeships may be less common.
This effort supports President Trump's Executive Order Expanding Apprenticeships in America by improving access to apprenticeship opportunities that enable more Americans to obtain relevant skills and high-paying jobs.
"President Trump's Administration is working to ensure the American workforce has the skills to succeed and the opportunities to secure family-sustaining careers," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "Today's launch of Apprenticeship.gov offers the first step in better online resources for apprenticeships across all industries."
The Apprenticeship.gov site delivers on the Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion's recommendations , which identified the need to "compile apprenticeship information in a single, online, centralized website." The website will connect career seekers, employers, and educators on a single, online platform.
"Apprenticeship.gov is an exciting new resource to connect career seekers looking for long-term careers with employers investing in their workforce," said John Ladd, Administrator Office of Apprenticeship.
The Department collaborated with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies and DirectEmployers to create the Apprenticeship Finder tool using their jobs database, the National Labor Exchange (NLx). The Apprenticeship Finder tool currently displays thousands of apprenticeship opportunities based on NLx data. Following today's launch, Apprenticeship.gov will have weekly updates and additional resources in the months to come.
The Department encourages apprenticeship sponsors to add their job listings to the NLx at no cost, so they can be included in the Apprenticeship Finder tool. Visit https://www.apprenticeship.gov/why-apprenticeship#step1 to learn how to add your apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship is a career pathway where individuals can earn and learn at the same time. Visit https://www.apprenticeship.gov to learn more.
ETA Publishes Eligible Training Provider Reporting Guidance under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The Employment and Training Administration has published Training and Employment Guidance Letter 03-18. This TEGL provides guidance to states on performance reporting on ETPs. Under the Workforce and Innovation Act all states must collect and report performance information on all individuals and WIOA title I core program participants (of Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs) served by each program of study on the state list of Eligible Training Providers (ETP list).
Training and Employment Guidance Letter 03-18:
https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=3527
Attachments:
House Passes H.R. 1635, the Empowering Students through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act
An advisory from the House Committee on Education and the Workforce
On September 5, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1635, the bipartisan Empowering Students through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act . Sponsored by Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), the legislation will improve financial aid counseling for students receiving a Pell Grant or a federal loan. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chairwoman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, said:
"Knowledge really is power, especially in how we make practical financial decisions. Student borrowers, and parents if they're trying to help, should understand and control their financial situation. Their financial situation should not control them.
"As chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, Representative Brett Guthrie has been a champion for commonsense reforms, and this legislation is the result of his leadership. I commend his work, as well as Representative Bonamici and her many Democratic colleagues for joining in this effort."
Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), ranking member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, said:
"The decision to take out student loans can have lifelong consequences for students and their families. Yet student borrowers too often lack the information and guidance they need to understand their options, stay informed on the status of their loans, and prepare for the future. We must do more to protect and support students who are willing to take the risk of going into debt for the reward of a good education. Today we took a step in the right direction. I am grateful to Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Brett Guthrie for their leadership on this bill."
To learn more about H.R. 1635, the Empowering Students through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act, click here .
WIOA Title II: Department of Education Invites Test Publishers to Submit Tests for Review and Approval in the National Reporting System for Adult Education
The Department of Education today (September 5) has published its invitation to publishers to submit tests for review and approval for use in the National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS).
The deadline for applications is October 1.
The Department's regulations for Measuring Educational Gain in the National Reporting System for Adult Education, 34 CFR part 462 (NRS regulations), include the procedures for determining the suitability of tests for use in the NRS.
There is a review process that will begin on October 1, 2018. Only tests submitted by the due date will be reviewed in that review cycle.
If a publisher submits a test after October 1, 2018, the test will not be reviewed until the review cycle that begins on October 1, 2019.
In order for the Department to consider a test suitable for use in the NRS, the test must meet the criteria and requirements established in 34 CFR 462.13 (links below) .
Additional background / submission instruction may be found at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-09-05/pdf/2018-19251.pdf
Part 462 Subpart B - What Process Does the Secretary Use To Review the Suitability of Tests for Use in the NRS?
§ 462.10 - How does the Secretary review tests?
§ 462.11 - What must an application contain?
§ 462.12 - What procedures does the Secretary use to review the suitability of tests?
§ 462.13 - What criteria and requirements does the Secretary use for determining the suitability of tests?
§ 462.14 - How often and under what circumstances must a test be reviewed by the Secretary?
EDA Funds Eleven Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers
The Economic Development Administration today (September 5) announced $13 million in Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants will be issued to support 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs) that help American manufacturers hurt by imports adjust to increasing global competition.
The 11 grants announced today include:
- $1.1 million to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, for the Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.
- $1.1 million to the University of Missouri, Columbia, for the Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.
- $1.2 million to the MidAtlantic Employers' Association, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, for the Mid-Atlantic Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.
- $1.1 million to Applied Strategies International, Ltd., Chicago, Illinois, for the Midwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.
- $1 million to the New England Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, Inc., North Billerica, Massachusetts.
- $989,487 to the Research Foundation of the State University of New York at Binghamton, for the Trade Adjustment Assistance Center serving New York, New Jersey, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
- $1.3 million to the Trade Task Group, Seattle, Washington, for the Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.
- $1.5 million to the University of Colorado at Boulder for the Rocky Mountain Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.
- $1.2 million to the Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia, for the Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.
- $1.2 million to the University of Texas at San Antonio for the Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.
- $1.4 million to the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, for the Western Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.