TEGL2-07a1.pdf

ETA Advisory File Text

-16- Attachment A Promising Practices in Integrating Registered Apprenticeship and Public Workforce System Activities Several states have integrated the Registered Apprenticeship model at various levels of state government as a tool to help employers meet their workforce needs and for individuals from high school to adult learners to enhance their career paths. Although no state is yet using the model to its maximum capacity several states are creatively applying Registered Apprenticeship as an important workforce and career solution. The following are examples of some states that have used the Registered Apprenticeship model in innovative ways to address many economic development and workforce challenges of its business community. Washington State Leaders in Washington State have integrated Registered Apprenticeship into workforce strategies in a broad way. They not only use WIA funding to support training programs but Registered Apprenticeship is included in the state strategic plan as a workforce tool. They also bring together support from other public sources most notably the state legislature which has appropriated general funds for a variety of Registered Apprenticeship programs including outreach and awareness to schools and businesses and supporting related instruction and on-the-job training. WIA discretionary dollars have been used for programs the WIBs and One-Stops have provided funding and support. State Plan The Washington State strategic workforce plan incorporates language calling for the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship training in emerging fields and expansion of preparation programs for apprenticeship in high-demand clusters. Additionally they include language to develop new programs and to increase student enrollments and apprenticeship retention and completion. As a result of the state s workforce policies on Registered Apprenticeship Washington has Advanced development of Registered Apprenticeship programs in health care information technology maritime transportation energy public utilities and advanced manufacturing among the high-growth industries. Prepared individuals to enter Registered Apprenticeship programs or gain employment in supportive roles in industries that use the apprenticeship model. -17- Supported projects to provide training to more than 500 pre-apprentices and apprentices in food processing biotechnology communications health care construction and manufacturing. WIA Funding WIA state-wide reserve funds have been used for Registered Apprenticeship programs through competitive solicitations. Local WIBs and One-Stops The Pierce County WIB funded an innovative program Get Electrified an Electrical School to Apprenticeship program offered to high school juniors in the Tacoma School District. It is a pre-apprenticeship program that prepares students to meet the rigorous application requirements of an electrical apprenticeship. During the nine-week summer program students attend work and class and earn a wage for work done. Upon completion of high school the graduate can enter a Registered Apprenticeship program in electrical work. Apprenticeship Integration into K-12 and Post-secondary Education Systems The state has embraced Registered Apprenticeship as a career path in and of itself as well as a path in conjunction with community college and a four-year degree as many of the training programs require an advanced degree. Now state leaders see the importance of career and educational guidance starting in middle school and are incorporating information about apprenticeship into that effort. The state legislature has recently funded an initiative by the Department of Labor and Industry to enhance an Educational Guidance model for 6th through 12 th graders Navigation 101 which shows students various careers and what classes and activities they need to pursue for the job. The model includes a lively student-friendly website curriculum and other material. Information on Registered Apprenticeship is prominently featured. The legislation also Authorized existing Community Colleges Centers of Excellence to compile and provide information related to grants scholarships job openings and growth industries Required the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council WSATC to lead an educational outreach program about apprenticeships for students and educators and Required the Washington State Apprenticeship Training Council to manage direct-entry programs including awarding ten incentive grants for school districts to negotiate and implement agreements with local apprenticeships. -18- Inter-agency collaborations The legislature passed a law to allow the Washington State Department of Transportation to implement an apprenticeship program for Washington State Department of Transportation construction. This apprenticeship utilization requirement started with local municipalities and private contractors 12 years ago and has grown over the years to include school districts counties other state agencies and private work also to encourage the development of more opportunities for young people. The Washington State Apprenticeship Program Manager is an active participant and member of the Washington State Workforce Education and Training Coordinating Board Interagency Committee and attends their regularly scheduled meetings. At these meetings the program manager is able to talk with other state agencies representatives about how apprenticeship can be better integrated with other State workforce investment system partners. Apprenticeship in Washington State aligns with the Governor s economic plan called Next Washington and the Workforce Board s Washington Works report that reviews the workforce development system. Next steps Washington State would like to develop structured training on Registered Apprenticeship for all One-Stop Career Center staff to be more effective in educating the business community about the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship. Kansas Kansas State leaders have recognized the value of Registered Apprenticeship as a tool to help employers meet their workforce needs and the overall necessity to link workforce development to economic development. State Organization of Registered Apprenticeship in Workforce Development The state has looked at how structurally it can best organize government functions to meet their goals. To this end state government was reorganized with many workforce functions placed in the Commerce Department including Registered Apprenticeship Veterans Affairs and WIA functions. These programs had previously been in the State Department of Labor. Among some of the other structural shifts several Registered Apprenticeship staff members are housed in One-Stops across the state so they can work with employers seeking assistance. Internal Staff Development To better train its own staff and to address the newly established roles and responsibilities under Public Law 107-288 and the requirements to develop a certification program the Department of Commerce established a Registered -19- Apprenticeship program for Career Development Technician for the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program and Local Veterans Employment Representative staff. WIA Funding The state uses some of its 15 percent state set-aside funds to support Registered Apprenticeship staff. Local WIBS and One-Stops Several local WIBs fund components of Registered Apprenticeship programs including the cost of related instruction uniforms and tools for apprentices. WIA Incumbent Worker monies are used to help Registered Apprenticeship programs in manufacturing construction and health care in four of the five workforce investment regions in the state. Additionally the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services funds the Early Childhood Associate Apprenticeship program through a grant. Additional Examples of Apprenticeship Integration in the Workforce System Action State AK MO Include apprenticeship in the WIA state plan WA HI Apprenticeship and WIA functions located in same department KS State Apprenticeship Council member sits on the state WIB NC KS Co-locate apprenticeship staff in One-Stop Career Centers VT NC OH One-Stop and Apprenticeship staff jointly market apprenticeship even when not co-located OR Use Registered Apprenticeship for staff development KS PA NC OR Link apprenticeship programs to other public entities such as school districts prisons and city county and state governments. WA OH OR Integrate the apprenticeship electronic database with the state job- matching system VT